Jeremiah 49:24
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse doesn't just describe fear; it paints a picture of utter helplessness by comparing Damascus's plight to a woman in the throes of childbirth. The original text's rapid, unconnected phrases emphasize that the city's defenses have crumbled, leaving it vulnerable and unable to do anything but writhe in uncontrollable anguish.
Jeremiah is pronouncing judgment on various nations surrounding Israel, and this passage focuses on Damascus, the capital of Syria. These verses describe Damascus, once a symbol of strength and renown, suddenly collapsing into fear and helplessness. The imagery paints a picture of utter devastation, as the city succumbs to the overwhelming pains and terror of impending destruction, much like a woman giving birth.
Understand the original words
re'adah · Hebrew Noun
An internal state of sudden, intense terror or confusion that results in a loss of composure and the inability to act effectively.
chebel · Hebrew Noun
A state of profound distress, pain, or affliction, often used in prophetic contexts to describe the consequences of defying God’s sovereignty.
Damascus, once a formidable capital of the Aramean kingdom and later a significant city within various empires, faced repeated conquests and destruction throughout its history, mirroring the intense anguish and helplessness described in Jeremiah's prophecy.
853 BC
Battle of Qarqar
The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III fought a coalition of Syrian states, including a contingent from Damascus led by Hadadezer. This battle marked a significant check on Syrian expansionism.
732 BC
Fall of Damascus to Assyria
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III conquered Damascus, ending the independent Aramean kingdom of Syria. The city was devastated and its people deported.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon began deporting Judean elites to Babylon, initiating a period of Babylonian dominance over the region that would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event deeply impacted the religious and national identity of the Jews.
This passage uses the same vivid imagery of a woman in labor to describe the overwhelming anguish and distress that comes with sudden destruction.
Psalm 48:6This psalm parallels the experience of Damascus by describing overwhelming fear and anguish seizing people, likening it to the pains of childbirth.
Isaiah 13:8This prophecy against Babylon employs the same metaphor of labor pains to depict the intense suffering and terror of a city facing imminent destruction.
Jeremiah 22:23Here again, the prophet uses the metaphor of a woman in labor to convey the severe pangs and distress of Jerusalem when facing judgment.
Luke 21:25Jesus uses similar language to describe the distress and anguish nations will face, which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the intense suffering described metaphorically here.
barnesJeremiah 49:24: "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."
And turneth - Omit and. The original is a rapid sequence of unconnected sentences. "Damascus is unnerved; she turned to flee, and a trembling seized her; anguish and writhings took hold of her etc."
pooleJeremiah 49:24: "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."
Syria, whose head is Damascus, hath lost her old courage and valour; it was wont to be a formidable country to its neighbours, but now they flee before their enemies. Fear hath seized on her; they are seized, and overpowered by their own fears. Anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail; great sorrows are ordinarily in Sc…
This verse doesn't just describe fear; it paints a picture of utter helplessness by comparing Damascus's plight to a woman in the throes of childbirth. The original text's rapid, unconnected phrases emphasize that the city's defenses have crumbled, leaving it vulnerable and unable to do anything but writhe in uncontrollable anguish.
Jeremiah is pronouncing judgment on various nations surrounding Israel, and this passage focuses on Damascus, the capital of Syria. These verses describe Damascus, once a symbol of strength and renown, suddenly collapsing into fear and helplessness. The imagery paints a picture of utter devastation, as the city succumbs to the overwhelming pains and terror of impending destruction, much like a woman giving birth.
Jeremiah is pronouncing judgment on various nations surrounding Israel, and this passage focuses on Damascus, the capital of Syria. These verses describe Damascus, once a symbol of strength and renown, suddenly collapsing into fear and helplessness. The imagery paints a picture of utter devastation, as the city succumbs to the overwhelming pains and terror of impending destruction, much like a woman giving birth.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 49:24 is available in the Sola app.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon, bringing an end to the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This shift in power allowed for the eventual return of Jewish exiles.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Return
Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. While not all returned immediately, it marked a turning point for the Jewish people.
c. 500 BC - 400 BC— this verse
Prophecy of Jeremiah
Jeremiah delivered his prophecies during a tumultuous period leading up to and following the Babylonian exile. His message often addressed the judgment of surrounding nations, including Damascus.
"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." — This verse doesn't just describe fear; it paints a picture of utter helplessness by comparing Damascus's plight to a woman in the throes of childbirth. The original text's rapid, unconnected phrases…
