Jeremiah 49:24
New International Version
Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.

New Living Translation
Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labor.

English Standard Version
Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor.

New American Standard Bible
“Damascus has become helpless; She has turned away to flee, And panic has gripped her; Distress and labor pains have seized her Like a woman in childbirth.

NASB 1995
“Damascus has become helpless; She has turned away to flee, And panic has gripped her; Distress and pangs have taken hold of her Like a woman in childbirth.

NASB 1977
“Damascus has become helpless; She has turned away to flee, And panic has gripped her; Distress and pangs have taken hold of her Like a woman in childbirth.

Legacy Standard Bible
Damascus has become limp in their hands; She has turned away to flee, And panic has taken hold of her; Distress and pangs have seized her Like a woman in childbirth.

Amplified Bible
“Damascus has become helpless; She has turned away to flee, Terror (panic) has seized her; Anguish and distress have gripped her Like a woman in childbirth.

Christian Standard Bible
Damascus has become weak; she has turned to run; panic has gripped her. Distress and labor pains have seized her like a woman in labor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Damascus has become weak; she has turned to run; panic has gripped her. Distress and labor pains 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.

Contemporary English Version
You people of Damascus have lost your courage, and in panic you turn to run, gripped by fear and pain.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people of Damascus are weak. They turn to flee, but panic grips them. Anguish and pain grip them like a woman in labor.

Good News Translation
The people of Damascus are weak and have fled in terror. They are in pain and misery like a woman in labor.

International Standard Version
Damascus will become weak. She will turn to flee, but panic will seize her. Distress and anguish will take hold of her like that of a woman giving birth.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
The people of Damascus will lose heart and turn to flee. Panic will grip them. Pain and anguish will seize them like a woman in labor.

New Heart English Bible
Damascus has grown feeble, she turns herself to flee, and trembling has seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Damascus has been feeble, "" She turned to flee, and fear strengthened her, "" Distress and pangs have seized her, as a travailing woman.

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.

Smith's Literal Translation
Damascus was relaxed, she turned back to flee, and terror laid hold of her, and pain and sorrows seized her, as she bringing forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Damascus is undone, she is put to flight, trembling hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her as a woman in labour.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Damascus has been broken. She has been turned to flight. Trembling has taken hold of her. Anguish and sorrows have seized her, like a woman giving birth.

New American Bible
Damascus loses heart, turns to flee; panic has seized it. Distress and pangs take hold, like the pain of a woman in labor.

New Revised Standard Version
Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in labor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Damascus is weakened, and she turns to flee; trembling has seized her; anguish and pangs have taken her like a woman in travail.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Darmsuq is weakened and she turned to flee, and trembling seized her, and griefs and pains seized her like a woman in labor
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Damascus is waxed feeble, she turneth herself to flee, And trembling hath seized on her; Anguish and pangs have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Damascus is utterly weakened, she is put to flight; trembling has seized upon her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The 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. 25How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy?…

Cross References
Isaiah 13:8
Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

Nahum 2:10
She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!

Isaiah 21:3-4
Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see. / My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight I desired has turned to horror.

Ezekiel 30:16
I will set fire to Egypt, Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be split open, and Memphis will face daily distress.

Isaiah 15:4
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.

Isaiah 19:16
In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them.

Isaiah 26:17
As a woman with child about to give birth writhes and cries out in pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD.

Isaiah 21:3
Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.

Isaiah 13:6-7
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.

Zephaniah 1:14-16
The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, / a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.

Isaiah 22:4
Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.”

Isaiah 10:3
What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:25-26
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.


Treasury of Scripture

Damascus is waxed feeble, and turns herself to flee, and fear has seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

anguish

Jeremiah 49:22
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.

Jump to Previous
Anguish Birth-Pains Damascus Distress Fear Feeble Flee Flight Grip Gripped Grown Helpless Herself Hold Pain Pangs Panic Seized Sorrows Terror Travail Trembling Trouble Turned Turneth Turns Waxed
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Anguish Birth-Pains Damascus Distress Fear Feeble Flee Flight Grip Gripped Grown Helpless Herself Hold Pain Pangs Panic Seized Sorrows Terror Travail Trembling Trouble Turned Turneth Turns Waxed
Jeremiah 49
1. The judgment of the Ammonites
6. Their restoration
7. The judgment of Edom
23. of Damascus
28. of Kedar
30. of Hazor
34. and of Elam
39. The restoration of Elam














Damascus
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In the context of Jeremiah, Damascus represents the capital of Aram (modern-day Syria) and is symbolic of a powerful and influential city. Historically, Damascus was a center of trade and culture, but here it is depicted as vulnerable and under divine judgment. This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the sovereignty of God over nations.

has become feeble
The Hebrew root for "feeble" conveys a sense of weakness and loss of strength. This imagery is powerful, as it contrasts the former might and resilience of Damascus with its current state of vulnerability. Theologically, this reflects the consequences of turning away from God and the inevitable decline that follows when a nation or individual relies solely on their own strength.

she has turned to flee
The phrase suggests a complete reversal of fortune. Instead of standing firm, Damascus is depicted as retreating in fear. This act of fleeing indicates a loss of confidence and security. In a broader spiritual sense, it can be seen as a metaphor for the futility of escaping divine judgment. It underscores the importance of seeking refuge in God rather than in worldly power or alliances.

panic has gripped her
The word "panic" here is indicative of sudden and overwhelming fear. The Hebrew term can also imply a sense of trembling or quaking. This gripping panic is a result of the realization of impending doom. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring prophetic warnings and the peace that comes from trusting in God.

anguish and pain have seized her
The imagery of "anguish and pain" is vivid and intense, likening the experience to physical suffering. The Hebrew words used here often describe severe distress and emotional turmoil. This reflects the deep impact of divine judgment and the inescapable nature of God's justice. It is a call to repentance and a reminder of the hope and healing found in turning back to God.

like a woman in labor
This simile is a common biblical metaphor for intense and unavoidable suffering. Labor pains are both inevitable and necessary for the birth of new life. In this context, it suggests that the suffering of Damascus is both a consequence of its actions and a precursor to potential renewal. Spiritually, it can be seen as an invitation to endure hardship with the hope of transformation and redemption through God's grace.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Damascus
דַמֶּ֛שֶׂק (ḏam·me·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)

has become feeble;
רָפְתָ֥ה (rā·p̄ə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

she has turned
הִפְנְתָ֥ה (hip̄·nə·ṯāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

to flee.
לָנ֖וּס (lā·nūs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

Panic
וְרֶ֣טֶט ׀ (wə·re·ṭeṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7374: A trembling, panic

has gripped her;
הֶחֱזִ֑יקָה (he·ḥĕ·zî·qāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

anguish
צָרָ֧ה (ṣā·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival

and pain
וַחֲבָלִ֛ים (wa·ḥă·ḇā·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2256: A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin

have seized her
אֲחָזַ֖תָּה (’ă·ḥā·zat·tāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

like a woman in labor.
כַּיּוֹלֵדָֽה׃ (kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 49:24 Damascus has grown feeble she turns herself (Jer.)
Jeremiah 49:23
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