ירמיהו, פרק מ״ג, פסוק י״ג

The prophecy of destruction upon Egypt reaches its climax with a direct strike against the nation's central religious symbols. The invading forces will shatter the massive single-stone altars that stand as monuments of worship [מצודת ציון].

The primary target of this devastation is a prominent center of worship, which is understood in two distinct ways. The first approach views the location as a site dedicated to the idolatrous worship of the sun [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. This likely refers to the Egyptian city of Heliopolis, historically renowned as a major hub for such practices [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, a more complex historical tradition suggests these altars were not idolatrous at all, but were actually built by converts. According to this view, these individuals were captives taken by Sennacherib from Cush and Egypt and brought to Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. There, they embraced the belief in God and later established a center for His worship back in Egypt. This aligns with an earlier prophecy regarding five Egyptian cities that would swear loyalty to God, one of which is traditionally identified as this very city, which is ultimately destined for ruin [רש״י].

The devastation concludes with a consuming fire that sweeps through the temples of the Egyptian deities. Burning these sacred sites serves to amplify the scale of the ruin, bringing absolute disgrace upon the gods of Egypt and exposing their utter powerlessness [רד״ק].