King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:24 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:24 in the King James Version says “Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 49:24 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

22

Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

23

Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. fainthearted: Heb. melted on: or, as on the sea

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.

25

How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!

26

Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Damascus is waxed feeble (רָפְתָה דַמֶּשֶׂק, raphtah Dammeseq)—The verb raphah means to become slack, enfeebled. Syria's ancient capital loses military and political vitality. Turneth herself to flee (הִפְנְתָה לָנוּס, hiphn'tah lanus)—Damascus personified as a woman turns to escape, but fear hath seized on her (וְחִרְדָּה הֶחֱזִיקָתָה, v'chirdah hecheziqattah). The verb chazaq (seize) suggests fear grips Damascus like a predator's jaws.

Anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail (צָרָה וַחֲבָלִים אֲחָזָתָה כַּיּוֹלֵדָה, tsarah vachavalim achazattah kayyoledah)—Again the childbirth metaphor. Tsarah (distress) and chavalim (labor pains) are divinely appointed suffering. Damascus's feminization isn't contempt but indicates helplessness before God's irresistible power. No military prowess avails; only submission to divine sovereignty offers hope.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Damascus had survived Assyrian conquest (732 BC) and remained influential under Babylonian hegemony. But Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns through Syria-Palestine (605-604 BC) reduced Damascus to vassal status, fulfilling this prophecy of weakness and fear.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Damascus's 'turning to flee' reveal about the futility of escaping God's judgment?
  2. How does the repeated 'woman in travail' metaphor across different nations emphasize universal accountability to God?
  3. In what ways do modern nations exhibit the same 'weakness' when they abandon God's standards?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
רָפְתָ֥ה1 of 10

“is waxed feeble”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

דַמֶּ֛שֶׂק2 of 10

“Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

הִפְנְתָ֥ה3 of 10

“and turneth”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

לָנ֖וּס4 of 10

“herself to flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וְרֶ֣טֶט׀5 of 10

“and fear”

H7374

terror

הֶחֱזִ֑יקָה6 of 10

“hath seized”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

צָרָ֧ה7 of 10

“on her anguish”

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וַחֲבָלִ֛ים8 of 10

“and sorrows”

H2256

ruin

אֲחָזַ֖תָּה9 of 10

“have taken”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

כַּיּוֹלֵדָֽה׃10 of 10

“her as a woman in travail”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 49:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 49 →

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