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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Damascus {H1834} is waxed feeble {H7503}, and turneth {H6437} herself to flee {H5127}, and fear {H7374} hath seized {H2388} on her: anguish {H6869} and sorrows {H2256} have taken {H270} her, as a woman in travail {H3205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Dammesek, weakened, turns to flee; trembling has seized her; anguish and pain take hold of her like the pains of a woman in labor.

Berean Standard Bible

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 49:24 delivers a stark prophetic oracle against Damascus, the ancient capital of Aram (Syria), vividly portraying its sudden and catastrophic collapse under divine judgment. The once-formidable city is depicted as utterly losing its strength, attempting a desperate yet futile escape, and being overwhelmed by an inescapable wave of terror. This profound anguish and sorrow are powerfully likened to the excruciating and unavoidable pains of a woman in childbirth, underscoring the severity, immediacy, and absolute inevitability of its prophetic downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 49:24 is situated within a significant block of prophecies against foreign nations (Jeremiah 46-51), a common feature in prophetic books that underscores Yahweh's universal sovereignty. This section demonstrates that God's authority extends far beyond Israel, encompassing all peoples and empires. Preceding this oracle are judgments against powerful entities like Egypt ([Jeremiah 46](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecy Against Egypt")) and the Philistines ([Jeremiah 47](/jeremiah/47 "Jeremiah 47 - Prophecy Against the Philistines")). The immediate chapter, Jeremiah 49, details a series of pronouncements against Ammon, Edom, and then Aram/Damascus, followed by a prophecy against Elam. This systematic progression of judgments emphasizes God's comprehensive plan for justice and His absolute control over the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, reinforcing the profound message that no nation, regardless of its perceived might, is exempt from divine accountability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Damascus was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and a pivotal regional power in the ancient Near East, frequently interacting with and often opposing Israel throughout its history. Its strategic location on major trade routes contributed to its considerable wealth, military strength, and political influence. Jeremiah's prophetic ministry occurred during a tumultuous period (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), marked by the ascendance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. God frequently employed powerful empires like Babylon as instruments of His judgment, not only against His covenant people but also against surrounding nations. The prophecy against Damascus would have been understood by its original audience as a declaration of its impending subjugation, most likely by the Babylonians, mirroring the fate of other regional powers. Culturally, the imagery of a woman in travail was a universally recognized and deeply visceral metaphor for sudden, intense, and unavoidable distress, making the prophecy's impact immediate and profoundly affecting.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute authority over all nations, not merely Israel. No earthly power, irrespective of its perceived strength or ancient heritage, can ultimately withstand His sovereign will, as vividly illustrated by the broader judgments against nations such as Moab ([Jeremiah 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Prophecy Against Moab")) and Ammon ([Jeremiah 49:1-6](/jeremiah/49-1-6 "Jeremiah 49:1-6 - Prophecy Against Ammon")). Secondly, it highlights the **Inevitability of Prophecy**, demonstrating with chilling certainty that God's declared word will unfailingly come to pass. Damascus's sudden feebleness and desperate flight are depicted not as possibilities, but as an inescapable destiny. Thirdly, the vivid and visceral imagery emphasizes the **Overwhelming Nature of Fear and Anguish** that accompanies divine judgment, portraying not merely a military defeat but a complete psychological and emotional collapse. Finally, the **Simile of a Woman in Travail** is a potent thematic element, frequently employed in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Anguish of Babylon") and [Jeremiah 6:24](/jeremiah/6-24 "Jeremiah 6:24 - Distress in Jerusalem")) to convey sudden, intense, and unavoidable pain, signifying the birth of a new, often painful, reality brought about by God's decree.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **feeble (Hebrew, _râphâh'_):** From H7503, meaning "to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative); abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en)." This word powerfully conveys Damascus's complete loss of strength, resolve, and vitality, indicating a profound and irreversible decline from its former power and ability to resist.
* **seized (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** From H2388, meaning "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer." While often denoting strength or fortification, in this context, it describes fear "fastening upon" or "seizing" Damascus, indicating an overwhelming and inescapable grip of terror that has completely incapacitated the city, robbing it of all courage.
* **sorrows (Hebrew, _chebel'_):** From H2256, meaning "a rope (as twisted)... a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin." This word, frequently translated as "ropes" or "bands," here specifically refers to "throes" or "birth pangs," directly linking the city's anguish to the intense, constricting, and unavoidable pain of childbirth. This connection is fundamental to understanding the profound simile that follows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Damascus is waxed feeble":** This opening clause immediately establishes the city's dire and weakened state. Despite its historical strength and prominence as a regional power, Damascus is depicted as having lost its vigor, becoming weak, ineffective, and unable to defend itself. This feebleness is a direct consequence of divine judgment, stripping the city of its former capacity and resolve.
* **"and turneth herself to flee":** This phrase vividly illustrates Damascus's desperate and ultimately futile attempt to escape the impending doom. The personification of the city turning to flee emphasizes its utter panic and the recognition of an overwhelming, irresistible threat from which its only perceived option is flight, even if it proves to be a hopeless endeavor.
* **"and fear hath seized on her":** Here, the abstract concept of "fear" is powerfully personified as an active, oppressive force that has taken an inescapable hold of Damascus. This signifies an internal collapse, where terror is not merely an emotion but a paralyzing power that has gripped the city, robbing its inhabitants of courage, reason, and the will to resist. The fear is not external but has become an intrinsic, consuming part of the city's experience.
* **"anguish and sorrows have taken her":** This clause further intensifies the description of the city's profound suffering. "Anguish" (tsârâh) denotes a sense of tightness, distress, or tribulation, while "sorrows" (chebel) specifically refers to the intense, constricting pains associated with childbirth. The active verb "taken" (ʼâchaz, H270) reinforces the idea that these afflictions have seized and utterly possessed the city, leaving it completely helpless and overwhelmed.
* **"as a woman in travail":** This powerful and deeply evocative simile provides the ultimate descriptor of Damascus's agony. The pain of childbirth is universally known for its sudden onset, overwhelming intensity, and unavoidable nature. By comparing Damascus's suffering to this excruciating experience, the prophet conveys that the city's downfall will be agonizing, inescapable, and will come upon it with the irresistible force and inevitability of labor pains, bringing forth a new, profoundly painful reality.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:24 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey the devastating impact of God's judgment on Damascus. **Personification** is central to the verse, as Damascus is portrayed not merely as a place but as an active entity that "waxed feeble," "turneth herself to flee," and is seized by "fear," "anguish," and "sorrows." This imbues the city with a human-like experience of terror and suffering, making the prophecy profoundly more emotionally resonant and immediate. The most striking device is the **Simile**, "as a woman in travail." This comparison is a recurring and powerful prophetic motif, used to describe sudden, intense, and unavoidable pain or judgment. It evokes the visceral image of excruciating, inescapable labor pains, emphasizing the severity, inevitability, and transformative nature of Damascus's downfall. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of "fear hath seized on her" and "anguish and sorrows have taken her" creates a sense of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the city's distress to underscore the totality of its collapse, both physically and psychologically. The rapid succession of verbs describing Damascus's decline and flight also contributes to a powerful sense of **Urgency** and the swiftness of its impending doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the foundational biblical truth of God's universal sovereignty and His righteous judgment over all nations. It serves as a powerful and humbling reminder that no earthly power, however ancient, wealthy, or militarily formidable, can ultimately defy the will of the Almighty. Damascus, often a symbol of human pride, self-reliance, and oppressive strength, is brought low not solely by a greater human empire, but by the divine decree that orchestrates historical events. The overwhelming fear and anguish described reflect the terror of standing exposed before a holy God, a terror that far surpasses any human conflict or military defeat. This judgment is not arbitrary but is often presented as a just consequence of a nation's persistent wickedness, idolatry, and oppression, aligning seamlessly with the broader prophetic message that God holds all humanity accountable for their actions and will bring justice upon the earth.

* [Isaiah 13:6-8](/isaiah/13-6-8 "The Day of the Lord and Birth Pangs for Babylon") - Describes the "Day of the Lord" for Babylon, using the vivid imagery of pain and anguish like a woman in labor, highlighting universal judgment.
* [Jeremiah 6:22-24](/jeremiah/6-22-24 "Invasion from the North and Jerusalem's Distress") - Depicts the distress and "anguish as of a woman in travail" that will seize Jerusalem's inhabitants due to an invading army, showing the universality of this metaphor for inescapable suffering.
* [Psalm 9:17](/psalm/9-17 "The Wicked Turn to Sheol") - Declares, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God," reinforcing the theme of divine judgment on nations and the ultimate fate of those who reject God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 49:24 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers and for humanity across all generations. It serves as a stark reminder that all human institutions, governments, and empires, no matter how powerful or seemingly enduring, are ultimately transient and subject to the sovereign will of God. In a world where nations often boast of their strength, technological prowess, and self-sufficiency, this prophecy profoundly humbles human pride, asserting that true security, lasting peace, and ultimate flourishing are found only in humble submission to the Creator. For the believer, it instills unwavering confidence in God's ultimate control over history, assuring us that even amidst global turmoil, political upheaval, and the rise and fall of earthly powers, His purposes will prevail. It calls us to trust in His perfect justice and to place our hope not in fleeting earthly kingdoms, but in the eternal, unshakable kingdom of God. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of unavoidable anguish should prompt us to seriously consider the gravity of unrepentant sin, both individually and corporately, and to seek God's mercy, wisdom, and righteousness rather than relying on our own strength, strategies, or perceived invincibility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swift and total collapse of Damascus challenge our own reliance on earthly power, material wealth, or national strength in today's world?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, "wax feeble" or be "seized by fear" when we neglect God's warnings, pursue self-sufficiency, or compromise our faith?**
* **What comfort or challenge does God's absolute sovereignty over all nations (as depicted here) offer to you personally in times of global uncertainty, political unrest, or personal trials?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Damascus being "waxed feeble" and "turneth herself to flee"?**

Answer:This imagery signifies a complete and sudden loss of vitality, strength, and courage, both physical and psychological. Damascus, historically a powerful and often defiant city, is depicted as losing its ability to resist or even stand its ground. "Waxed feeble" (from the Hebrew _râphâh'_) means to slacken, grow weak, or fail, indicating an internal collapse of resolve and a profound enfeeblement. "Turneth herself to flee" (from _pânâh'_ and _nûwç'_) portrays a desperate, panicked attempt at escape, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the threat and the city's recognition of its own utter helplessness. It's a prophetic picture of a once-mighty entity reduced to absolute vulnerability and flight, stripped of its former glory and power.

**Why is the simile "as a woman in travail" used to describe Damascus's suffering?**

Answer:The comparison to a "woman in travail" (Hebrew _yâlad'_ and _chebel'_) is a common and profoundly potent prophetic motif used to describe sudden, intense, and utterly unavoidable pain. The pains of childbirth are universally known for their overwhelming nature, their inevitability, and the fact that once they begin, there is no escape until the process is complete. By using this powerful simile, Jeremiah emphasizes that Damascus's impending judgment will be excruciating, come upon it unexpectedly and with overwhelming force, and be utterly inescapable, leading to a profound and agonizing transformation or "birth" of a new, painful reality for the city. This vivid imagery is also used in other prophecies, such as [Isaiah 21:3](/isaiah/21-3 "Anguish of the Prophet") and [1 Thessalonians 5:3](/1_thessalonians/5-3 "Sudden Destruction"), to describe the sudden and inescapable nature of divine judgment or the "Day of the Lord."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 49:24 directly pronounces a specific historical judgment on an earthly city, its profound imagery and underlying theological principles find their ultimate and comprehensive Christ-centered fulfillment. The prophecy of Damascus's sudden feebleness, overwhelming anguish, and inevitable collapse foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ over all earthly powers, spiritual forces, and human rebellion that oppose God. Just as Damascus, a symbol of human strength, pride, and defiance, is brought to its knees, so too will every knee ultimately bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Every Knee Shall Bow")). The "fear" and "anguish" seizing Damascus prefigure the terror that will grip those who reject Christ when He returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, a day when kings and great men will hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb ([Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Kings and Great Men Hide from Wrath")). Moreover, the imagery of "sorrows" and "travail" is transformed and given new meaning in the New Testament. While it speaks of judgment for the wicked, it also speaks of the "birth pangs" of a new creation and the coming kingdom of God, which, though accompanied by tribulation and suffering, ultimately brings forth the glorious reign of Christ and the liberation of all creation ([Romans 8:22-23](/romans/8-22-23 "Creation Groans with Birth Pangs")). Jesus Himself spoke of these "birth pains" as signs preceding His return, indicating that the world's suffering and turmoil are leading to a new spiritual reality and the consummation of His kingdom ([Matthew 24:8](/matthew/24-8 "Birth Pains")). Thus, the judgment on Damascus, a specific historical event, points to the universal and ultimate victory of the Lamb of God, who alone has the authority to bring down all opposing powers and establish His eternal kingdom, where for His redeemed, there will be no more sorrow, pain, or tears ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Tears")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.