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Jeremiah 50:43

Babylon
Judgment

41 Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth.

42 They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.

44 Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

45 Therefore hear the plans that the LORD has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies He has devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; certainly their pasture will be made desolate because of them.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.
KJV
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.
WEB
The king of Babylon has heard the news of them, and his hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of him, pains as of a woman in labor.
ASV
The king of Babylon hath heard the tidings of them, and his hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.
DARBY
The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands wax feeble; trouble hath taken hold of him, pangs as of a woman in travail.
BLB
The king of Babylon has heard the report of them, and his hands hang limp; distress has taken hold of him, writhing like that of a woman in labor.
ÅB
Babels konge har hørt ryktet om dem, og hans hender er blitt kraftløse; angst har grepet ham, smerter som den fødende kvinnes.
OTB
Babylons konge har hørt rapporten om dem, og hans hender henger slappe. Angst har grepet ham, smerte som en fødende kvinne.
B1930
Babels konge har hørt ryktet om dem, og hans hender er blitt kraftløse; angst har grepet ham, smerter som den fødende kvinnes.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 49:24

    Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 51:31

    One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end.

    Read in context

  • Daniel 5:5–6

    At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing,

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 13:6–8

    Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 49:22

    Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

    Read in context