ירמיהו, פרק ל׳, פסוק ו׳

To illustrate a state of extreme anxiety and agony, a highly unusual and physically impossible image is presented: the idea of a man going through childbirth.

The primary approach among commentators views this as a rhetorical device highlighting a reality that simply cannot happen. Men do not give birth, nor do they experience labor pains [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While a man can father a child, the actual physical act of giving birth and the agony that accompanies it belong exclusively to a woman [רד״ק]. Because this is a natural impossibility, a deep sense of wonder arises over the sight of grown men standing with their hands pressed against their waists in pain. This posture mimics that of a woman bearing down to deliver a child [מצודת דוד]. The imagery of labor is specifically chosen because these pains are considered the most intense and fierce of all, perfectly capturing the sheer force of the approaching distress [רד״ק].

Alongside this posture of deep pain, there is a striking physical reaction of pure terror. Out of overwhelming fear and agony, the blood drains entirely from the men's faces. They are left looking green and pale, taking on the sickly, terrified appearance of the severely ill [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

Offering a different perspective, [מלבי״ם] interprets the imagery as an allegory rather than a description of physical panic. In his view, the concept of birth symbolizes the breaching of a fortified city and the violent removal of its residents, with the conquered city acting as the pregnant woman expelling her children. According to this approach, the prophet is speaking directly to the Israelites, questioning why they are so afraid of the impending collapse of Babylon. Babylon is the one "giving birth" and suffering the pangs of destruction. The Israelites, on the other hand, are compared to the "male"—the catalyst for the labor, who is never meant to experience the pain himself. Therefore, the prophet asks the Israelites why they are gripping their waists in terror over Babylon's crisis, reminding them that they are like a man who has no reason to feel the pangs of labor.