יחזקאל, פרק ז׳, פסוק כ״ג

Prophetic visions often use tangible, symbolic actions to illustrate the devastating consequences of a morally corrupt society. A physical chain serves as a stark warning of the captivity and destruction awaiting a nation that has abandoned justice. God commands the preparation of a chain [רש״י, מצודת ציון], with some specifying that it must be made of iron [רד״ק, אברבנאל] or forged as a strong, double-linked restraint [מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators is that this act serves as a prophetic sign, foretelling that the Chaldeans will soon conquer Jerusalem and drag its inhabitants into exile, bound in heavy shackles like prisoners of war. Adding a historical perspective, the standard practice in Jerusalem was to use iron chains exclusively for criminals condemned to death, while lesser offenders were simply jailed. Therefore, the command to forge such a chain signals the extreme severity of the people's condition, indicating that they are essentially facing a death sentence [אברבנאל].

The reason for this severe punishment stems from the people committing capital offenses. They are guilty of terrible crimes that carry a death penalty, such as shedding innocent blood, engaging in forbidden sexual relations, and other grave sins [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Viewed more literally, the entire land was simply overflowing with acts of murder [מלבי״ם].

Beyond the bloodshed, the urban environment was completely saturated with robbery and cruelty. This reality makes exile inevitable, as no human society can sustain itself when built on a foundation of violence and theft [רד״ק]. A geographic distinction highlights the scope of the corruption: while murder was rampant throughout the broader countryside, the city of Jerusalem itself was consumed by robbery and extortion. This deadly combination of widespread crimes sealed the fate of the inhabitants [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the impending destruction operates on the principle of exact justice. Because the city filled itself with violence and preyed upon others, its residents are now destined to suffer violence and become helpless spoils themselves [מצודת דוד].