ירמיהו, פרק י״ב, פסוק י״ב

The shockwaves of war and destruction spread in every direction, leaving absolute devastation in their wake. Disaster reaches into the most isolated and barren regions as part of a sweeping divine plan that brings ruin to many nations. The devastation extends to elevated places such as mountains and hills, as well as to remote grazing pastures far removed from human settlement [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that the arrival of plunderers in these distant locations illustrates the total, inescapable scope of the ruin. Enemy forces raid even the highest and most desolate peaks specifically to hunt down refugees who attempt to hide there, ensuring that absolutely no safe haven remains [מלבי״ם].

The violence acts as a consuming force, representing widespread killing, loss, and slaughter. The action of the sword striking flesh is compared to a fire burning or a mouth eating [רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. This weapon of war does not strike randomly. It is prepared and directly guided by God [מצודת דוד]. In practical terms, this force is the army of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Even though it is a human military, its weapon is considered God's sword because God Himself awakened and sent the Babylonian king to wage war and conquer the nations [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

This conflict sweeps from one end of the earth to the other, bringing death from all sides [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Because Nebuchadnezzar's military campaigns encompass all nations, and his armies leave no potential hiding spot unsearched, the unavoidable reality is a complete absence of peace. Ultimately, no survivor will manage to escape, and no person anywhere will find safety [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].