Jeremiah 6:24

24 We have heard the fame thereof, our hands grow feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, as a woman in labour.

Jeremiah 6:24 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 6:24

We have heard the fame thereof
Meaning not the prophet's report then, but the rumour of the enemy's coming from another quarter, at the time he was actually coming. These are the words of the people, upon such a rumour spread; or the words of the prophet, joining himself with them, describing their case, when it would be strongly reported, and they had reason to believe it, that the enemy was just coming, and very near: our hands wax feeble;
have no strength in them, shake and tremble like men that have a palsy, through fear and dread: anguish hath taken hold of us;
tribulation or affliction; or rather anguish of spirit, on hearing the news of the near approach of the enemy: and pain, as of a woman in travail;
which comes suddenly, and is very sharp; and this denotes that their destruction would come suddenly upon them, before they were aware, and be very severe.

Jeremiah 6:24 In-Context

22 Thus saith the Lord: Behold a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation shall rise up from the ends of the earth.

23 They shall lay hold on arrow and shield: they are cruel, and will have no mercy. Their voice shall roar like the sea: and they shall mount upon horses, prepared as men for war, against thee, O daughter of Sion.

24 We have heard the fame thereof, our hands grow feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, as a woman in labour.

25 Go not out into the fields, nor walk in the highway: for the sword of the enemy, and fear is on every side.

26 Gird thee with sackcloth, O daughter of my people, and sprinkle thee with ashes: make thee mourning as for an only son, a bitter lamentation, because the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us.