Jeremiah 50:43
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Jeremiah 50:43
43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 50 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of truth, sacrifice, covenant. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-46: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 50:43
43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
Analysis
The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them (שָׁמַע מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל אֶת־שִׁמְעָם, shama melekh-Bavel et-shim'am)—Belshazzar (or Nabonidus) receives intelligence about the advancing coalition. And his hands waxed feeble (וְרָפוּ יָדָיו, v'rafu yadav)—his hands 'became slack,' lost strength. This exact phrase describes demoralized soldiers unable to fight (Jeremiah 6:24, Ezekiel 7:17). Psychological defeat precedes military defeat.
Anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail (צָרָה הֶחֱזִיקַתְהוּ חִיל כַּיּוֹלֵדָה, tsarah hecheziqathu chil kayyoledah)—The birth-pangs metaphor again (see 49:24). Jeremiah uses it repeatedly for inescapable, all-consuming terror. Daniel 5 dramatically depicts Belshazzar's panic: the handwriting on the wall, knees knocking together (Daniel 5:5-6). That very night Babylon fell (539 BC). The prophecy specified not just military defeat but rulers' personal terror—fulfilled to the detail. God's word is surgically precise.
Historical Context
Belshazzar hosted a feast even as Cyrus's forces approached (Daniel 5:1). His bravado masked fear—the very fear Jeremiah prophesied. When the handwriting appeared, his terror became visible (Daniel 5:6). That night, Medo-Persian soldiers entered via the river channel, killed Belshazzar, and Darius took the kingdom (Daniel 5:30-31).
Reflection
- Why does God detail the psychological terror of judged rulers—what purpose does this serve?
- How does the fulfillment of specific details (hands weakened, birth pangs) validate prophetic inspiration?
- What does Belshazzar's false confidence before sudden terror teach about presumption in face of warnings?
Cross-References
- Kingdom: Jeremiah 51:31
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 49:24