Jeremiah 50:43
“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.”
What does Jeremiah 50:43 mean?
When word reaches the Babylonian king about his enemies rising against him, his courage collapses. The description of his hands becoming feeble shows how completely fear has undone him, draining away his confidence and strength. By comparing his anguish to the intense pain of childbirth, Jeremiah captures something visceral about panic and helplessness, the kind of all-consuming distress that leaves a person barely able to function. It's a powerful reminder that even the most powerful rulers on earth can be brought low by dread when their position begins to crumble.