ישעיהו, פרק ל״ד, פסוק ט׳

A terrifying vision of total destruction unfolds, where the very foundations of nature are transformed into weapons of ruin. Life-giving waters and stable earth lose their natural properties, becoming highly combustible fuels that consume everything in an unstoppable fire. Commentators are divided regarding the identity of the nation facing such severe devastation. Some identify the doomed land as that of the Babylonians [רש"י ומצודת דוד]. Others associate the destruction with Edom [חומת אנך], while a specific identification points to the city of Rome and its rivers [אברבנאל].

Regarding the nature of this catastrophe, two primary approaches emerge. One perspective views the fiery imagery as a metaphor for absolute ruin [רד"ק], suggesting that the rivers will simply become undrinkable, as if they had turned to thick pitch [אבן עזרא]. In contrast, another approach understands the events literally. According to this view, the destruction is a supernatural act where God strikes down His enemies from heaven, causing the land to burn entirely, much like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah [אבן עזרא, רד"ק ואברבנאל].

To illustrate the sheer intensity of the blaze, the environment is overtaken by extremely flammable materials, specifically a highly combustible tree pitch [מצודת ציון]. A careful distinction is made between two forms of this substance: the rivers will transform into a liquid pitch that floats on the surface of the water, while the solid ground itself will turn into a hard, mountainous pitch [מלבי"ם]. Furthermore, the topsoil will turn into sulfur. This material easily crumbles to dust and ignites instantly upon any contact with fire. The deadly combination of topsoil transforming into quick-burning sulfur, alongside the rivers and the deep earth turning into pitch, ensures that the entire land will be completely consumed by fire [מלבי"ם].