YHWH as a Woman in Labour: The Controlled Pregnant Female Body in Labour

Abstract

In the Hebrew Bible, there are 14 similes of a woman in labour. Thirteen of these similes describe a crisis in which the uncontrollable pregnant female body is used to depict death, crisis, destruction, and even annihilation. However, when YHWH is like a woman in labour (Isa. 42:14), the pregnant body in labour is described as controlled, restrained, and, one could say, desirous. Rather than interpret this image in light of the simile of YHWH as a warrior in the preceding verse (Isa. 42:13), I argue that the image is purposefully in opposition. Rather than a display of warrior-like strength, YHWH as a woman in labour is calm and controlled. To support my argument, I look at the simile through the lens of the experience of the female body. Using examples of women in labour in ancient texts and current women’s narratives, I show how ancient writers draw upon the pregnant female bodily experience of being in labour to communicate YHWH’s complete control over humanity’s relationship with him.