Jeremiah 49:24

Verse

Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor.

American Standard Version (1901)

Damascus is waxed feeble, she turneth herself to flee, and trembling hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.

Bible in Basic English

Damascus has become feeble, she is turned to flight, fear has taken her in its grip: pain and sorrows have come on her, as on a woman in birth-pains.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Damascus is undone, she is put to flight, trembling hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her as a woman in labour.

Free Bible Version

The people of Damascus are demoralized—they turn and run away in panic, overcome by pain and anguish like a woman in labor.

Geneva Bible 1599

Damascus is discouraged, and turneth her selfe to flight and feare hath seased her: anguish and sorowes haue taken her as a woman in trauaile.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

The people of Damascus have become very weak, and they all have ◄panicked/fled because they are very afraid►. The people are anguished and in pain like [SIM] a woman experiences who is about to give birth.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Damascus has become very weak. It turns away to flee; terror seizes it. Distress and pain seize it, like the pain of a woman giving birth.

Noah Webster Bible

Damascus hath become feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her : anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

World English Bible

Damascus has grown feeble, she turns herself to flee, and trembling has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.

Young's Literal Translation

Feeble hath been Damascus, She turned to flee, and fear strengthened her, Distress and pangs have seized her, as a travailing woman.

Context

Judgment on Damascus

²³Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. ²⁴Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor.

Summary

This verse in Jeremiah prophesies against Damascus, foretelling its downfall and destruction. It speaks of the terror and anguish that will come upon the city, as well as the loss of its power and influence. The imagery used conveys the severity of the judgment that will befall Damascus due to its pride and arrogance. Ultimately, this verse serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and the inevitable judgment that follows.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Damascus is waxed feeble,.... Or, "is become remiss" (g); her hands hang down, not being able through fear and fright to lift them up against the enemy; that is, the inhabitants of Damascus, as the Targum: and turneth herself to flee; instead of going out to meet the enemy, the inhabitants of this city meditated a flight, and turned their backs upon him in order to flee from him, and escape falling into his hands: and fear hath seized on her: or, "she seized on fear" (h); instead of seizing on arms, and laying hold on them to defend herself with, she seized on that; or however that seized on her, and made her quite unfit to stand up in her own defence: anguish and sorrows have taken her as a woman in travail; See Gill on Jer 49:22; A phrase often used to express the sudden and inevitable destruction of a people, and their distress and inability to help themselves. (g) "remissa erit", Junius & Tremellius; "remissa est", Cocceius, Piscator; "remissa facta est", Schmidt. (h) "et apprehendit tremorem", Munster; "et horrorem apprehendit", Schmidt; "et horrorem febrilem prehendet", Junius & Tremellius; "apprehendet", Piscator.