The image of the prostitute in Jeremiah 4:30 is developed. She is now pregnant and in the throes of a painful and deadly birth.1 In his vision Jeremiah hears the woman cry as of a woman in labor,
in anguish. He understands that Jerusalem’s very life is at risk.2 This is a picture of vulnerability and helplessness coupled with intense agony at a sudden pain never experienced before
.3 It is not a pleasant image, but it is designed to catch the attention of Jeremiah’s audience and to perhaps penetrate their dull minds.4
31 Car j'entends des cris comme ceux d'une femme en travail, Des cris d'angoisse comme dans un premier enfantement. C'est la voix de la fille de Sion; elle soupire, elle étend les mains: Malheureuse que je suis! je succombe sous les meurtriers!