ירמיהו, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״ג

A harsh prophecy of doom warns the people of Israel about the complete loss of their national wealth to an invading enemy. This sweeping destruction is not a random tragedy, but a direct consequence of a spiritual corruption that has infected every corner of the land.

The nation's vast wealth and accumulated treasures are destined to become mere spoils of war. The primary approach among commentators is that God will hand over these riches to enemies, such as Nebuchadnezzar, entirely for free, receiving no compensation in return [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, this loss can also be understood from the perspective of the invaders. The conquerors will refuse to accept these treasures as a ransom that might allow the Israelites to remain in their homeland. Instead, they will simply take the riches by force as military plunder [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective paints a picture of absolute chaos. The invasion will bring so many looters that the plundered goods will not even be sold for money; individuals will simply snatch whatever they can grab for themselves [רד״ק].

This severe punishment is the direct result of the nation's sins against God. The disaster is tied closely to the physical borders of the country, highlighting the absolute scale of their failure. The people had set up idols and altars across the entire land, ensuring that not a single place within their borders remained free from sin [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מלבי״ם].