Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 50 - Verse 43

The verse "The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail." in the book of Jeremiah describes the reaction of the King of Babylon upon hearing news of impending doom. The report mentioned in the verse refers to the prophecies of judgment and destruction that were foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. The king's hands waxed feeble symbolizes his loss of strength and power, as he faces the imminent threat of defeat. The mention of anguish and pangs as of a woman in travail emphasizes the intensity of the king's panic and distress, drawing a parallel between his suffering and the pain of childbirth. This verse serves as a warning of the consequences of going against God's will and highlights the vulnerability of even the most powerful rulers in the face of divine judgment.

In this verse, the king of Babylon is described as being filled with fear and anguish upon hearing a report. The phrase "his hands waxed feeble" indicates that he lost strength and power in response to the troubling news. This imagery of a king losing his strength emphasizes the idea of vulnerability and helplessness in the face of impending danger. The comparison of the king's anguish to 'pangs as of a woman in travail' further emphasizes the intensity of his distress. This comparison draws on the idea of the pain and difficulty associated with childbirth, highlighting the king's extreme emotional and physical turmoil. Through this vivid imagery, the verse conveys a sense of the king's vulnerability and fear, setting the stage for the events that will unfold in the following verses.