Jeremiah 49:24 kjv
Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
Jeremiah 49:24 nkjv
Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor.
Jeremiah 49:24 niv
Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.
Jeremiah 49:24 esv
Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in labor.
Jeremiah 49:24 nlt
Damascus has become feeble,
and all her people turn to flee.
Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her
as they grip a woman in labor.
Jeremiah 49 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 49 | Woe to Damascus! | Prophecy against nations |
| Isaiah 17:1 | Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city | Judgment on Damascus |
| Amos 1:3-5 | I will send fire upon the house of Hazael | Judgment on Syria (Damascus) |
| Ezekiel 25:12 | Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edom acted vengefully against Judah | Judgment on Edom |
| Ezekiel 26:2 | Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem “Aha!” | Judgment on Tyre |
| Ezekiel 28:12 | Son of man, wail over the king of Tyre | Judgment on the King of Tyre |
| Matthew 24:7 | For nation will rise against nation | Signs of the end |
| Mark 13:8 | Nation will rise against nation | Signs of the end |
| Revelation 18:10 | Standing at a distance in fear of her torment | Judgment on Babylon |
| Revelation 18:17 | For in one hour such as great wealth has been laid waste | Judgment on Babylon |
| Psalm 2:4 | He who is enthroned in heaven shall laugh | God's sovereignty over nations |
| Psalm 37:13 | But the Lord laughs at him | God's justice |
| Psalm 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, | Messiah's victory |
| Jeremiah 1:14 | From the north disaster shall be let loose | Jeremiah's prophetic call |
| Jeremiah 6:24 | We have heard the report of it; our hands | Exhortation to repentance |
| Jeremiah 8:21 | Because my people are hurt, I am hurt | Jeremiah's lament |
| Jeremiah 30:12 | For thus says the LORD: “Your injury is | Message of hope to Judah |
| Jeremiah 31:15 | Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in | Return from exile |
| Genesis 19:13 | For the LORD is about to destroy this city | Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah |
| Judges 3:12 | Then the children of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD | Cycle of sin and deliverance |
| 2 Kings 19:35 | And it came to pass that night that the angel of the LORD struck down | Deliverance of Jerusalem |
| Lamentations 1:2 | She weeps bitterly in the night, | Lament over Jerusalem |
| Luke 10:13 | “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! | Jesus pronounces judgment |
| Acts 8:1 | And Saul was consenting to his execution. | Persecution of the early church |
Jeremiah 49 verses
Jeremiah 49 24 Meaning
The city of Damascus is struck with terror, leading to fear, pain, and distress. These emotions are described as if a woman in childbirth is experiencing them.
Jeremiah 49 24 Context
This verse is part of a larger prophecy by Jeremiah concerning the judgment of various nations. Specifically, chapter 49 focuses on the oracle against the Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians (including Damascus). Damascus, the capital city of Aram (Syria), is targeted for its past transgressions against Israel. Historically, Damascus had a long and often antagonistic relationship with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, engaging in warfare and political maneuvering. The prophecy speaks of an impending invasion and destruction that would bring extreme distress to the city and its inhabitants, likening their suffering to the intense pains of childbirth.
Jeremiah 49 24 Word Analysis
וְהָיָה (wə·hā·yāh): "And it will be" or "and there shall be." This is a common consecutive future particle, indicating the continuation of a prophetic narrative.
לָהּ (lāh): "to her" or "for her." Refers to Damascus.
חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpâ): "shame," "reproach," "disgrace." This signifies the complete humiliation and ignominy that will befall the city.
וּצְרָעָה (ū·ṣə·rā·‘â): "and pain," "anguish," "distress."
בְּשִׁילוּם (bə·šî·lûm): This word is unusual. Most scholars understand it to be related to sheol (Sheol) or a place of utter destruction, a descent into death. Some suggest it implies an "unintended pain" or a "futile pain," akin to something wasted or misplaced, but the predominant scholarly view leans towards a connection with death or a catastrophic end.
כַּאִשָּׁה (ka·’iš·šâ): "like a woman."
בְּמַקְחֵלָה (bə·maq·ḥê·lāh): "in travail," "in labor pains." This evokes the intense, involuntary suffering of a woman giving birth.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And it will be for her shame, and pain in Shilum": This phrase encapsulates the core judgment – humiliation coupled with extreme suffering, leading to a desolate state. The addition of "Shilum" emphasizes a finality or a descent into a dire situation.
- "like a woman in travail": This powerful simile illustrates the intensity and helplessness of the coming affliction. It is a natural, unavoidable, and agonizing experience, indicating that Damascus will be overwhelmed by its fate.
Jeremiah 49 24 Bonus Section
The imagery of childbirth is frequently used in scripture to describe times of great upheaval, judgment, or the birth of new things. Here, it emphasizes the involuntary and agonizing nature of the coming judgment upon Damascus. Scholars note that while specific historical events might fulfill parts of this prophecy over time, the ultimate fulfillment might also be tied to future apocalyptic events or a broader judgment on hostile nations. The parallel with other prophecies against surrounding nations in the same chapter highlights a pattern of divine justice.
Jeremiah 49 24 Commentary
The oracle against Damascus emphasizes its complete devastation and the agonizing fear that will grip its people. The judgment is portrayed as so severe that it will bring about shame and pain, akin to the intense, involuntary suffering of labor pains. The use of "Shilum" suggests a descent into ultimate distress or a final, overwhelming defeat, potentially linked to Sheol or utter ruin. This judgment reflects God's righteous response to the city's historical actions against His people. The intensity of the language underscores the finality and severity of the pronouncement.