Sirach 48:19 - Then were their hearts and their hands shaken, And they were in pain, as women in travail;

Generated Verse: Sirach 48:19

What does "Sirach 48:19" mean?


The verse "Then were their hearts and their hands shaken, And they were in pain, as women in travail;" (Sirach 48:19, KJV) describes the reaction of people to the devastating impact of Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:

"Then were their hearts and their hands shaken":
Hearts shaken suggests fear, anxiety, and profound distress. Their courage was diminished. They were deeply disturbed by the threat.
Hands shaken could mean several things:
Weakness: They were paralyzed by fear, unable to act or defend themselves effectively.
Loss of control: Their normal abilities were compromised by the situation.
Trembling: Literal trembling from fear and apprehension.

"And they were in pain, as women in travail":
Pain, as women in travail This is a powerful simile. "Travail" refers to the intense labor pains of childbirth.
It conveys the extreme suffering and agony that the people experienced during the siege.
It emphasizes the inescapability and inevitability of their suffering. They were trapped in a situation of intense pain with no easy way out.
It can also subtly suggest that something new (though born in pain) may come out of the experience.

In summary, the verse vividly portrays the utter terror and suffering inflicted upon the people during Sennacherib's siege. Their courage failed them, their abilities were compromised, and they were in a state of intense anguish comparable to the pain of childbirth.

Context is important:

This verse follows the description of how Hezekiah prayed for deliverance and how God responded by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. The "they" in the verse refers to the people of the surrounding nations who had threatened and besieged Jerusalem. This deliverance instilled fear in the hearts of Israel's enemies. They recognized the power of God and the futility of fighting against Him.

What categories does "Sirach 48:19" have?