God’s Word Translation
Jeremiah 6:24
24We have heard the news about them. Our hands hang limp. We are gripped by anguish and pain like a woman giving birth to a child.
Jeremiah 6:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
- New International Version (NIV)We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.
- English Standard Version (ESV)We have heard the report of it; our hands fall helpless; anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labor.
- New King James Version (NKJV)We have heard the report of it; Our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, Pain as of a woman in labor.
Context of Jeremiah 6:24
22This is what the Lord says: An army is going to come from the north. A great nation is preparing itself in the distant parts of the earth. 23Its people take hold of bows and spears. They are cruel and have no compassion. They sound like the roaring sea. They ride on horses. They march like soldiers ready for battle against my people Zion. We have heard the news about them. Our hands hang limp. We are gripped by anguish and pain like a woman giving birth to a child. 25Don’t go into the field or walk on the road. The enemy has a sword. Terror is all around. 26Wear sackcloth, and roll around in ashes, my people. Mourn as if you have lost your only child, and cry bitterly. The destroyer will suddenly attack us.
Read all of Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 6:24 word by word
שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ אֶת־שָׁמְע֖וֹ רָפ֣וּ יָדֵ֑ינוּ צָרָה֙ הֶחֱזִיקַ֔תְנוּ חִ֖יל כַּיּוֹלֵדָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- We have heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
- the fameשֹׁ֫מַעshôma‛ · reportH8089
- thereof: our handsיָדyâd · handH3027
- wax feebleרָפָהrâphâh · to slackenH7503
- anguishצָרָהtsârâh · distressH6869
- hath taken holdחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
- painחִילchîyl chîylâh · agonyH2427
- as of a woman in travailיָלַדyâlad · to begetH3205
Cross-references for Jeremiah 6:24
- Jeremiah 4:6Raise the flag to signal people to go to Zion. Take cover! Don’t just stand there! I’m bringing disaster and widespread destruction from the north.
- Isaiah 28:19Each time it passes by it will take you. It will pass by morning after morning, during the day and during the night. Understanding this message brings only terror.
- Ezekiel 21:6“So, son of man, groan with a breaking heart and with bitter crying while the people watch you.
- Habakkuk 3:16I have heard, so there’s trembling within me. At the report my lips quivered. A rotten feeling has entered me. I tremble where I stand. I wait for the day of trouble to come to the people who will attack us.
- Jeremiah 4:31I hear a woman in labor. I hear the woman cry with anguish as she gives birth to her first child. My people Zion are gasping for breath. They are stretching out their hands, saying, “How horrible it is for us! We’re defenseless in the presence of murderers!”
- Jeremiah 13:21What will you say when God makes the people you thought were your friends your new masters? Won’t pain grip you like a woman in labor?
- Jeremiah 22:23You live in Lebanon and have your nest in the cedars. But you will groan when pain strikes you, pain like a woman giving birth to a child.
- Jeremiah 30:6Ask now, and see: Can a man give birth to a child? Why, then, do I see every strong man holding his stomach in pain like a woman giving birth to a child? Why has every face turned pale?
- Jeremiah 49:24The people of Damascus are weak. They turn to flee, but panic grips them. Anguish and pain grip them like a woman in labor.
- Jeremiah 50:43The king of Babylon has heard reports about them, and he loses courage. Anguish will grip him as pain grips a woman in labor.
- Psalms 48:6Trembling seized them like the trembling that a woman experiences during labor.
- Proverbs 1:27when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, when trouble and anguish come to you.
- Isaiah 21:3That is why my body is full of trembling. Pain grips me like the pain of childbirth. I’m disturbed by what I hear. I’m terrified by what I see.
- Micah 4:9Now why are you crying so loudly? Don’t you have a king? Has your counselor died? Pain grips you like a woman in labor.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 6:24
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-30Verses 18-30 God rejects their outward services, as worthless to atone for their sins. Sacrifice and incense were to direct them to a Mediator; but when offered to purchase a license to go on in sin, they provoke God. The sins of God's professing people make them an easy prey to their enemies. They dare not show themselves. Saints may rejoice in hope of God's mercies, though they see them only in the promise: sinners must mourn for fear of God's…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-30This conversation between Jeremiah and the Lord likely occurred at the start of the Babylonian invasion in 605 BC. In these three poems, Jeremiah shares the Lord’s message (Jeremiah 6:22–23), connects with his people's fear, and urges them to repent quickly (6:24–26). He then receives a heartfelt message from the Lord (Jeremiah 6:27–30).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. fame thereof--the report of them.Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 6:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries