ירמיהו, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ד׳

The impending destruction and exile of the Israelites are destined to be of such a catastrophic magnitude that they will serve as a terrifying warning to the entire world. The punishment will be so severe and tangible that it will evoke profound shock and trembling. When all the kingdoms of the earth hear of this disaster, they will shake with anxiety, terrified that a similar fate might befall them [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מנחת שי, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The root cause of this extreme judgment traces back to the reign of King Manasseh, which served as a tragic historical turning point. It was during his era that the decree of destruction was set into motion. Even though there was a temporary period of recovery later under King Josiah, the nation and the kingdom continued a steady, unseen decline from Manasseh's time onward [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Commentators offer two main perspectives on how Manasseh's guilt ultimately condemned the people. The first approach emphasizes the king's destructive leadership. He guided Judah into deep wickedness and shed innocent blood until the city was filled with victims [רד״ק]. Because his sins were committed openly in the central city of Jerusalem, the entire nation learned from his example, adopted his corrupt ways, and perpetuated his evil actions [מצודת דוד]. In contrast, a second perspective shifts the primary blame onto the people themselves. According to this view, the punishment fell upon the nation because they witnessed Manasseh repent at the end of his life, yet they stubbornly refused to learn from his final actions and did not return to God as their king had done [רד״ק, חומת אנך].