Jeremiah 49:22

22 Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Bozrah. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor.

Jeremiah 49:22 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 49:22

Behold, he shall come up, and fly as the eagle
The Targum is,

``behold, as an eagle comes up and flies, so shall a king come up with his army;''

the king of Babylon with his army, compared to an eagle for his swiftness and voraciousness, as before to a lion for his strength and fierceness: and spread his wings over Bozrah;
besiege that city, invest it, and seize upon it; very fitly are the wings of an army expressed by the wings of this bird, denoting both their extent and force; the same is said concerning Moab, ( Jeremiah 48:40 ) ; and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Moab be as the
heart of a woman in her pangs;
when just ready to be delivered; not only weak and timorous, but full of anguish, and: quite dispirited; (See Gill on Jeremiah 48:41).

Jeremiah 49:22 In-Context

20 Listen to the LORD ’s plans against Edom and the people of Teman. Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep, and their homes will be destroyed.

21 The earth will shake with the noise of Edom’s fall, and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.

22 Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Bozrah. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor.

23 This message was given concerning Damascus. This is what the LORD says: “The towns of Hamath and Arpad are struck with fear, for they have heard the news of their destruction. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm.

24 Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labor.