ירמיהו, פרק מ״ח, פסוק כ״א

A severe decree of destruction sweeps across the flatlands, targeting specific cities in the region. The arrival of this judgment is widely understood as a direct punishment and calamity brought forth by God [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this phase of destruction represents a highly calculated stage of warfare. In this view, after the invading army has already conquered the local fortresses and won the overall battle, the conquerors pause to hold a kind of trial. They sit in judgment to deliberately decide which specific locations will be entirely wiped out [מלבי״ם].

This harsh fate is aimed directly at the cities located within the plain region. The impending ruin does not remain a vague threat but is issued against specific, named towns in the area, sealing the fate of places such as Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath [מצודת דוד].