Before she travailed, she brought forth, &c.] Meaning, that the deliverance and restauration of the Church should be so sudden, and contrary to expectation; Psal. 126. 1, 2. as when a woman is delivered before she looked, and that without pain. Alluding, as may seem, to the speech of the Egyptian midwives concerning the Hebrew women; Exodus 1:19. but in all likelihood, comparing their deliverance by Cyrus, done suddenly, without any labour of theirs, Ezra 1. 1, 2. Chap. 45. 13. with that from the Egyptian bondage; which was not effected without great strugling and much ado. Exodus 3:19. &5, 9, 19, 21, 23. &6. 9. she was delivered] See Chap. 34. 15. of a man-child] Heb. of a male. Exodus 13:12. Which makes the joy the greater. Luke 1:13-14. John 16:21. Either Christ himself, or manlike Christians, as well outwardly as inwardly resembling him, and one with him. Revelation 12:5. Galatians 4:19. 2 Corinthians 3:18. &2 Corinthians 4:16. Galatians 3:16. 1 Corinthians 12:12.