ירמיהו, פרק ד׳, פסוק כ״ט

The terror of war and the looming threat of an approaching enemy can shatter any sense of security, driving people to abandon their homes and seek safety in the wild. The mass exodus begins simply at the sound of horsemen and archers. The primary approach among commentators is that this represents a massive military camp of cavalry and bowmen; merely hearing the sounds of their approach from a distance is enough to spread absolute panic [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. However, another perspective views the situation more literally, highlighting the deep cowardice of the residents. In this view, the sound of just a single enemy soldier is enough to cause an entire city to run away [מלבי״ם].

The residents flee for their lives, abandoning their homes because even the city fortifications fail to provide enough security to keep them from leaving [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators disagree on exactly which locations are abandoned. Some maintain that this widespread panic affects every single city across the land [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], while others believe the description points specifically to the city of Jerusalem [מלבי״ם].

In their desperate escape, the people seek out natural hiding spots. They run deep into the forests, taking cover within thick tangles of trees and thorns [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Another interpretation suggests they flee to incredibly high elevations, climbing so far up that they nearly reach the clouds [רד״ק]. They also scale high, overhanging mountain rocks to conceal themselves within the rugged crevices [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. The ultimate result of this frantic escape is complete desolation. The settlements are left entirely abandoned, emphasizing an absolute emptiness where not a single person remains [מצודת דוד].