ירמיהו, פרק י׳, פסוק כ״ב

A wave of panic sweeps through the nation as terrifying news arrives from a distant land. A frightening rumor spreads rapidly, accompanied by the heavy, shaking sounds of a massive force on the move [מצודת ציון]. These rumblings signal that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, has launched a military campaign from the north [מצודת דוד].

At this moment, a dramatic gap emerges between the limited understanding of the general public and the clear foresight of the prophet. The masses hear the terrifying reports of the Babylonian army setting out, but they remain completely in the dark about its final destination [רד״ק]. The prophet, however, sees the complete picture unfolding. He observes the Babylonian king standing at a crossroads, relying on magic and the casting of lots to determine his path. The king must choose between attacking the Ammonites or Jerusalem, and the lot ultimately points to Jerusalem [מלבי״ם].

Armed with this knowledge, the prophet understands with absolute certainty that the approaching army intends to turn the cities of Judah into an utter wasteland. The once-thriving towns are destined to become mere habitats for wild creatures [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that these ruins will be overrun by wild animals drawn to desolate places [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], though some suggest the abandoned areas will specifically become a dwelling for a certain type of snake [מצודת ציון].