יחזקאל, פרק ז׳, פסוק ו׳

The existence of the Israelite nation on its own land is facing an absolute end [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Unlike previous hardships that were intended to inspire the people toward repentance and self-improvement, the current threat is no longer a warning. Instead, it represents a total and irreversible destruction [מלבי״ם].

The absolute finality of this event is emphasized repeatedly to strengthen the warning and hasten the arrival of the disaster [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. A linguistic connection is drawn between the concept of an end and the act of awakening from sleep [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון]. This creates a vivid personification of the tragedy, suggesting that the final destruction had been lying dormant until now, only to suddenly wake from its slumber specifically to strike the nation [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Expanding on this imagery, the designated time for this tragedy is compared to the cycle of a full day. The long period of waiting for judgment is likened to the night, a time of sleep and inactivity. Now, the final watch of the night has arrived, and the end has awakened from its rest to carry out its work [מלבי״ם]. The disaster itself is already waiting at the doorstep [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The period of delay has completely passed, much like the breaking of dawn after a long night, signaling that the time for the tragedy to become a reality has finally arrived [מלבי״ם].