יחזקאל, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ״ג

A new prophetic vision emerges to reveal the ultimate destination of the advancing Babylonian army. As King Nebuchadnezzar sets out on his campaign of conquest, his exact target remains undecided. To illustrate this unfolding threat, God commands Ezekiel to create a visual representation, either a drawing or a physical model, of the army's march. The prophet is instructed to map out two distinct roads originating from a single country, Babylon. At the very point where the road splits, Ezekiel must mark a specific stopping place. This represents the exact location where the Babylonian king will pause his march to choose his path [אברבנאל].

The two diverging roads lead to two potential targets: the city of Rabbath Ammon, or Jerusalem, whose inhabitants feel secure behind their fortified walls. Upon reaching this critical crossroads, Nebuchadnezzar turns to sorcery and divination to determine his course. He employs several mystical practices to seek guidance. One method involves arrows; he either polishes the iron arrowhead until it becomes a reflective mirror for seeing visions, or he shoots arrows into the air to observe in which direction they land [אברבנאל בשם אביו של הרד״ק]. Additionally, he consults idols used for predicting the future, and he examines the liver of a freshly slaughtered animal, looking for signs in its shine and clarity [אברבנאל].

Ultimately, it is by God's decree that these magical practices and lots direct Nebuchadnezzar to choose Jerusalem [מלבי״ם]. With his target set, the king prepares for a massive siege. He positions his forces, deploying either high-ranking military commanders or heavy iron battering rams designed to smash through the city's defenses [אברבנאל בשם אביו של הרד״ק]. He commands his soldiers to slaughter everyone inside, raising a terrifying battle cry to strike fear into the hearts of those trapped within the city. To complete the conquest, the Babylonian forces utilize fire ramps and towering wooden siege structures [אברבנאל].