Jeremiah 49:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:24 mean?

Jeremiah 49:24 describes the city of Damascus as weakened and terrified, overwhelmed by fear and pain like a woman in labor. The verse uses vivid language to show how completely the city’s strength and courage have failed in the face of coming disaster.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message from God about the coming judgment on various nations, including Damascus, the capital of Syria. The verse paints a picture of a once-strong city now gripped by panic and suffering, using the image of childbirth to highlight the intensity and helplessness of its distress.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:24

• "feeble" (רָפָה, raphah): This word often means to become weak or to lose strength. Here it emphasizes that Damascus, known for its power, is now utterly drained and unable to defend itself.
• "anguish" (צָרָה, tsarah) and "sorrows" (חֵיל, cheyl): These words together intensify the sense of deep distress. "Tsarah" points to trouble or tightness, while "cheyl" can refer to writhing pain, especially that of childbirth. The combination shows the overwhelming, inescapable suffering Damascus faces.
• "as a woman in travail" (יָלַד, yalad): The comparison to a woman in labor is a common biblical image for extreme, unavoidable pain and fear, highlighting how the city cannot escape what is coming.

Why Jeremiah 49:24 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that Damascus could withstand the coming threat; even the strongest cities can be brought low.
• The childbirth imagery reveals the depth of fear and helplessness, not just physical defeat but emotional collapse.
• Jeremiah 49:24 fits into a larger section where God’s judgment is pronounced on many nations, showing that no power is immune to consequences.