Jeremiah 48:41

41 Kerioth is taken, and strongholds be taken; and the heart of strong men of Moab shall be in that day, as the heart of a woman travailing of child. (Yea, Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds be taken; and the hearts of Moab's strong men shall be on that day, like the heart of a woman in labour.)

Jeremiah 48:41 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:41

Kerioth is taken
The name of a city in Moab, as in ( Jeremiah 48:24 ) ; so Jarchi, and others; but Kimchi and Abarbinel observe, that it may be taken for an appellative, and be rendered "the cities"; everyone of the cities of Moab, which were as easily and quickly taken as one city; these may intend the cities in the plain, as the strong holds those in high places: and the strong holds are surprised;
everyone of them; so that there was not a city, or a fortified place, but what came into the enemies' hands: and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart
of a woman in her pangs;
even the hearts of the soldiers, and the most courageous generals, shall sink within them; and they be not only as timorous as women in common, but as low spirited as a woman when she finds her pains are coming upon her, and the time of her delivery is at hand.

Jeremiah 48:41 In-Context

39 How is it overcome, and they yelled? how hath Moab cast down the noll, and is shamed? And Moab shall be into scorn, and into ensample to all men in his compass. (And they shall yell, How it is overcome! how Moab hath cast down its head, and is shamed! And Moab shall be mocked, and made an example to all the people around it.)

40 The Lord saith these things, Lo! as an eagle he shall fly out, and he shall stretch forth his wings to Moab. (The Lord saith these things, Lo! he shall fly out like an eagle, and he shall stretch out his wings over Moab.)

41 Kerioth is taken, and strongholds be taken; and the heart of strong men of Moab shall be in that day, as the heart of a woman travailing of child. (Yea, Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds be taken; and the hearts of Moab's strong men shall be on that day, like the heart of a woman in labour.)

42 And Moab shall cease to be a people, for it had glory against the Lord. (And Moab shall cease to be a nation, for it magnified itself against the Lord.)

43 Dread, and ditch, and snare is on thee, thou dweller of Moab, saith the Lord. (Terror, and ditch, and trap be waiting for thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the Lord.)