Jeremiah 48:41

41 Kerioth is taken, And the strongholds are surprised; The mighty men's hearts in Moab on that day shall be Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.

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 "They shall wail: 'How she is broken down! How Moab has turned her back with shame!' So Moab shall be a derision And a dismay to all those about her."

40 For thus says the Lord: "Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab.

41 Kerioth is taken, And the strongholds are surprised; The mighty men's hearts in Moab on that day shall be Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.

42 And Moab shall be destroyed as a people, Because he exalted himself against the Lord.

43 Fear and the pit and the snare shall be upon you, O inhabitant of Moab," says the Lord.