Jeremiah 49:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
רָפְתָ֥ה
is waxed feeble
H7503
רָפְתָ֥ה
is waxed feeble
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
1 of 10
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
הִפְנְתָ֥ה
and turneth
H6437
הִפְנְתָ֥ה
and turneth
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
3 of 10
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
לָנ֖וּס
herself to flee
H5127
לָנ֖וּס
herself to flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
4 of 10
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הֶחֱזִ֑יקָה
hath seized
H2388
הֶחֱזִ֑יקָה
hath seized
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
6 of 10
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Damascus's 'turning to flee' reveal about the futility of escaping God's judgment?
- How does the repeated 'woman in travail' metaphor across different nations emphasize universal accountability to God?
- In what ways do modern nations exhibit the same 'weakness' when they abandon God's standards?
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Analysis & 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.