ירמיהו, פרק ד׳, פסוק ז׳

A mighty and terrifying enemy has begun a destructive campaign, striking fear like a beast of prey leaving its den to cause ruin. This fierce predator represents Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. He is compared to a lion because his power is absolute; no one can stand in his way as he conquers and ruins lands without facing any real resistance [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

Like a lion emerging from a natural ambush spot made of deeply tangled branches [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון], the Babylonian king leaves his hidden territory and steps out into the open to strike [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The destroyer of nations is none other than Nebuchadnezzar himself [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. His advance is not a chaotic rush but a highly organized military operation. The movement occurs in a specific sequence: first, he uproots his camp, and only then does he begin the actual march toward his target [מלבי״ם].

The ultimate goal of this march is to turn the land into a complete wasteland. The primary approach among commentators is that the cities will be left entirely dry, ruined, and completely emptied of their inhabitants [רש״י, מצודת ציון]. However, another perspective suggests a different, yet equally tragic, image. Instead of mere dryness, the fate of the cities is tied to wild growth. In this view, the cities are left so utterly ruined and abandoned that wild grass and weeds grow unchecked, completely covering the fallen rubble [רד״ק].