ירמיהו, פרק כ״א, פסוק ה׳

Instead of defending the nation, God takes on the role of an active warrior launching a military campaign against His own people. This divine offensive utilizes both internal and external threats to bring about their downfall. The primary approach among commentators is that this divine battle takes the form of a severe plague [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, חומת אנך]. This pestilence will strike both people and animals trapped inside the city, acting either alongside or immediately following the devastation of war and famine. Alternatively, the battle is not a direct physical strike from God. Instead, He will dramatically empower the enemy forces besieging the city. By strengthening the invaders, their ultimate success becomes completely equivalent to God fighting the nation Himself [מצודת דוד].

The imagery used to describe this assault is that of a mighty warrior raising a weapon against an enemy [מצודת דוד]. The description subtly alters the traditional phrasing of God's power to reflect the specific nature of the impending disasters [מלבי״ם]. The imagery of a hand represents the plague, which is a direct blow from God requiring no intermediary. Its outstretched nature illustrates how the disease will spread, though this specific aspect also hints at a slight measure of mercy compared to how God strikes other nations. In contrast, the imagery of an arm represents the sword of war, which operates through a human intermediary. It is described as strong to emphasize that God is firmly gripping the enemy and directing their movements. The invaders do not act on their own initiative; they are completely controlled by divine providence.

This campaign is fueled by three distinct expressions of divine anger [מלבי״ם]. The first is an outward, visible anger that is clear to all. The second is an internal fury kept deep within. Finally, the third expression represents the exact measure of strict justice. The punishment is calculated in absolute proportion to the magnitude of the wrongdoing, ensuring that the greater the sin, the more severe the resulting destruction.