Jeremiah 49:24 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Damascus, weakened by fear, flees in desperation as anguish overwhelms it like a woman in labor.
The Context of Jeremiah 49:24
Damascus crumbles in fear before the invading force.
What Does Jeremiah 49:24 Mean?
'Waxed feeble' indicates that military strength is draining away—not through active combat yet, but through the psychological weight of approaching danger. Damascus 'turns herself to flee,' suggesting defensive evacuation rather than strategic retreat. The initiative has already passed.
'Fear hath seized her' personalizes the city, treating it as an emotional being overwhelmed by terror. The comparison to a woman in travail repeats the image of involuntary, inescapable suffering, emphasizing that Damascus cannot control or endure what is coming.
Jeremiah 49:24 in the Original Language
travail (יָלַדְתָּה yaldah) — labor, childbirth; conveys agony and the inevitability of suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 49:24
What does Jeremiah 49:24 mean?
Damascus, weakened by fear, flees in desperation as anguish overwhelms it like a woman in labor.
What is the context of Jeremiah 49:24?
Damascus crumbles in fear before the invading force.