יחזקאל, פרק ה׳, פסוק י״א

God's anger reaches a point of no return, culminating in a harsh decree sealed by an absolute divine oath. To emphasize the sheer severity of the impending punishment, the prophecy employs a doubled oath [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם], serving as God's direct response to the ultimate desecration of the Temple [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary cause for this severe judgment is rooted in a specific historical event: the moment King Manasseh placed an idol directly inside the sanctuary [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

The people's offenses are categorized into two distinct types of moral failure. The first category relates directly to the physical idols and offensive objects brought into the holy space. The second category encompasses the people's other severe moral corruptions, such as forbidden sexual relations [מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון].

In response to these acts, God declares a withdrawal and reduction of the people, operating on a strict principle of measure for measure. Because the Israelites diminished God's honor by bringing offensive idols into His home, He will diminish their honor. They will become entirely despised in the eyes of foreign nations who will execute brutal judgments against them [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. This divine reduction acts as an active, additional layer of suffering beyond the natural devastation already caused by war and famine [מלבי״ם]. An ancient Babylonian tradition adds further depth to this decree, understanding the divine withdrawal not merely as a reduction, but as a violent severing and cutting down of the nation [מנחת שי].

This judgment will be delivered with absolute severity and a complete absence of mercy [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The lack of compassion is an exact reflection of the people's own behavior. Just as the Israelites showed no regard or pity for God's honor [רד״ק], and just as they showed no mercy toward their own children when slaughtering them as sacrifices to foreign gods, God will withhold all pity when delivering their final punishment [מצודת דוד].