ὠδίν (ōdin)
ōdin
labor
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ōdin refers to the sharp, intense pains associated with childbirth, known in English as birth pangs or travail. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, primarily in the Gospels and First Thessalonians, where it describes a specific kind of acute suffering rather than general discomfort.
Jesus uses this term to describe the distress that will characterize the period before His return, calling these events "the beginning of birth pains" (Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:8). This metaphor suggests that such tribulations are not random chaos but a necessary, though painful, prelude to something new. The imagery extends beyond physical labor to encompass severe spiritual anguish, as seen when Peter describes death’s grip in Acts 2:24.
The word connects deeply with Old Testament language for distress and snare. By using ōdin, the writers emphasize that these trials are intense and transformative. They point to a hope that emerges only after the pain has passed, framing suffering as part of a larger divine process rather than an end in itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ōdin refers to the sharp, intense pains of childbirth. In the New Testament, it describes acute suffering that is not random chaos but a necessary prelude to new life. Jesus used this term in Matthew and Mark to describe the distress preceding His return, calling these events the "beginning of birth pains." This metaphor helps us understand that trials are part of a larger divine process, pointing toward hope rather than ending in despair.
When we face difficult seasons, this imagery offers comfort. It suggests that our struggles are not meaningless but are part of a transformative journey. Just as labor leads to the joy of a new birth, these hardships can lead to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. The early church understood suffering as a time of preparation, trusting that God brings life out of pain.
This perspective invites us to view our challenges with patience and hope. We are not alone in our struggles; the writers of Scripture acknowledged the reality of intense pain while affirming God's ultimate purpose. By focusing on the hope that follows the pain, we can find strength and peace even in the most difficult times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of birth pains.1×
- of birth pains [are]1×
- labor pains1×
- agony1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὠδῖνας1×
- ὠδίνων.¶1×
- ὠδίνων1×
- ὠδὶν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 24:8
But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus uses this word to identify the onset of tribulation as a specific sign preceding His return, framing suffering as a structured prelude rather than random chaos.
-
Acts 2:24
whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
Peter applies the term to Christ's experience in the tomb, describing death's grip as an agonizing labor from which God delivered Him through resurrection.
-
I Thessalonians 5:3
For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape.
Paul compares sudden destruction to birth pains on a pregnant woman to emphasize the unexpected and inescapable nature of judgment for those unprepared.