יחזקאל, פרק כ״ג, פסוק כ״ח

A nation's political and spiritual betrayals often culminate in a tragic breaking point, where former allies transform into the most ruthless of enemies. The very foreign powers that the Israelites once courted and placed their trust in are destined to become the primary instruments of their punishment. God declares that He will hand the people over to the forces they now despise. This divine judgment is aimed directly at the Chaldeans, or Babylonians, against whom the Israelites rebelled during the reign of Zedekiah [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ].

The relationship between the two nations is marked by a profound mutual disgust. The Israelites themselves sparked this hostility by pulling away; their souls became alienated, distanced, and ultimately filled with hatred for their former partners [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ]. The prophetic message repeatedly emphasizes this deep-seated hatred to highlight the severe and absolute nature of the rupture between them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

This marks a sharp and devastating shift. The Babylonians, previously embraced as lovers, will no longer act as such. At the onset of their military campaign, they might have simply intended to force the Israelites back into their political alliance. However, the moment they breach and conquer the city, their mindset will shift entirely into a burning, vengeful hatred [מלבי״ם]. The Israelites must not hold onto any false hope that their former allies will show them mercy. Instead, the Babylonians will treat them with the utmost cruelty of total enemies, violently looting all of their wealth and property [אברבנאל].