Jeremiah 48:41
the cities shall be taken and the strongholds seized. The heart of the warriors of Moab shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The prophet emphasizes the utter collapse of Moab's defenses by likely using "Kerioth" to mean "cities" in general, not just a specific place, showcasing the widespread devastation. What’s truly striking is the comparison of the most valiant warriors' hearts to a woman in labor – it's not just fear, but a profound, uncontrollable agony that strips away all strength and will.
This verse is the climax of a prophecy detailing the impending destruction of Moab. Following verses that describe cities falling and strongholds being overcome by invaders, this verse emphasizes the utter collapse of Moabite resistance. The prophet paints a picture of even their most valiant warriors being stripped of all courage, their hearts filled with the agonizing fear and helplessness of a woman in labor.
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of Moab's cities crumbling. It wasn't just a few outposts, but a complete sweep.
A Sweeping Defeat
The prophecy declares that 'Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized.' Scholars note that 'Kerioth' might refer to a specific city, or more broadly, 'the cities' themselves. The emphasis here is on the totality of the destruction. Not only were individual cities captured, but even the 'strongholds'—places thought to be impregnable, like mountain fortresses—were surprised and overcome.
This wasn't a minor skirmish; it was a catastrophic military defeat. The enemy wasn't just fighting for territory, but dismantling Moab's entire defense system, leaving nothing secure.
What happens when the mightiest warriors face an unstoppable force? Their courage evaporates, replaced by a paralyzing fear.
The Collapse of Courage
The heart of Moab's warriors—even its most valiant men and generals—is compared to 'the heart of a woman in her birth pains.' This is a powerful image of utter helplessness and intense, debilitating pain.
It signifies a complete loss of nerve and strength. These were men trained for battle, expected to stand firm. Yet, in this day of judgment, their courage fails them entirely. They are reduced to a state of vulnerability and anguish, unable to resist or escape.
Understand the original words
mibtsar · Hebrew Noun
A fortified place, often a natural or man-made structure designed for defense. In Scripture, it frequently symbolizes God as the ultimate refuge or, conversely, a false sense of security in human strength.
leb · Hebrew Noun
The core of a person’s being, including the intellect, emotions, and will. It is considered the seat of character and moral decision-making, and its condition reflects a person’s spiritual state before God.
This passage uses a very similar powerful image of women in labor pains to describe the terror and collapse of mighty warriors, specifically in the context of Babylon's judgment.
Jeremiah 30:6This verse directly references the image of men's hearts being like women in labor pains, but in the context of Israel's future restoration, showing how God can bring both distress and deliverance through intense experiences.
Jeremiah 49:22This chapter, dealing with the judgment of Edom, also employs the simile of a woman in birth pains to describe the overwhelming fear and collapse of the enemy's strength.
Ezekiel 7:17This verse describes the overwhelming fear and distress that will grip people during the final judgment, stating that their hands will be feeble and their knees knocking, akin to the debilitating pain described for Moab's warriors.
barnesJeremiah 48:41: "Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs."
Surprised - captured by force.
cambridgeJeremiah 48:41: "Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs."
41 . Kerioth ] See on Jeremiah 48:20-24 . But, because of the parallel expression “strong holds” in the next clause, the word may simply mean cities .
The prophet emphasizes the utter collapse of Moab's defenses by likely using "Kerioth" to mean "cities" in general, not just a specific place, showcasing the widespread devastation. What’s truly striking is the comparison of the most valiant warriors' hearts to a woman in labor – it's not just fear, but a profound, uncontrollable agony that strips away all strength and will.
This verse is the climax of a prophecy detailing the impending destruction of Moab. Following verses that describe cities falling and strongholds being overcome by invaders, this verse emphasizes the utter collapse of Moabite resistance. The prophet paints a picture of even their most valiant warriors being stripped of all courage, their hearts filled with the agonizing fear and helplessness of a woman in labor.
"the cities shall be taken and the strongholds seized. The heart of the warriors of Moab shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains;" — The prophet emphasizes the utter collapse of Moab's defenses by likely using "Kerioth" to mean "cities" in general, not just a specific place, showcasing the widespread devastation. What’s truly stri…
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