ירמיהו, פרק כ״א, פסוק י״ג

A fierce prophecy of doom is directed at the residents of Jerusalem, who suffer from an inflated sense of security. Trusting deeply in the natural fortifications of their city, the people have grown arrogant. In direct response to this pride, God announces that He Himself is turning against the city, coming to cause them distress and wage war against them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

The source of the people's overconfidence lies in Jerusalem's unique topography. The city is positioned like a strong, prominent rock rising above flat, even plains [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It sits high on a mountain slope, surrounded by deep valleys [מלבי״ם]. Yet, this physical landscape also carries a hidden, metaphorical weight. The depth of the surrounding valleys mirrors the depth of the divine plan, illustrating how God has carefully and deeply calculated the city's destruction [רש״י].

Relying entirely on these geographic advantages, the residents boastfully question who would ever dare approach them. They firmly believe that no enemy could possibly reach their homes to conquer them [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In their minds, no opposing army could descend from the higher mountains to fight them in the valleys and plains [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ], nor could any force successfully set up camp and lay a lasting siege against their fortified dwellings [רש״י, רד״ק].