BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 50› Verse 43

Jeremiah 50:43

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 50:43 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Jeremiah 50:43 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith Jehovah, so shall no man dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.
41Behold, a people cometh from the north; and a great nation and many kings shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
42They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
43The 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.
44Behold, [the enemy] shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoso is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd that can stand before me?
45Therefore hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they shall drag them away, [even] the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.
46At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth trembleth, and the cry is heard among the nations.
← Jeremiah 50:42Jeremiah 50:44 →
← Full Chapter 50 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, etc.] Belshazzar, as Kimchi; he had the report brought him of the invasion of his land by them; of their approach to Babylon, and design upon it; and of their number, character, and force: and his hands waxed feeble; as they did when he saw the handwriting upon the wall, (<270506>Daniel 5:6); anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail; a sudden panic seized him, and he was quite dispirited at once, as a woman in childbirth, when her pains come upon her, and there is no avoiding them; though when those who were with Gobrias and Gadates rushed in upon him, they found him standing up with his sword drawnf1009, but unable to…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“hands waxed feeble--attempted no resistance; immediately was overcome, as HERODOTUS tells us.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“An application to Babylon of the doom against Jerusalem Jeremiah 6:22-24. Jeremiah 50:41 The coasts of the earth - See the Jeremiah 6:22 note. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“50:43 The Babylonians would experience the same terror their own victims had felt (cp. 6:22-23).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“king: Jer 51:31; Isa 13:6-8, Isa 21:3, Isa 21:4; Dan 5:5, Dan 5:6 pangs: Jer 49:22, Jer 49:24 Jeremiah 50:44”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 50 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification