The collapse of a powerful empire brings more than just physical ruin; it forces a complete emotional and national reversal, turning the joy of conquerors into deep public disgrace. The impending humiliation of Babylon is directed at the nation as a whole. References to a mother or a woman giving birth do not describe private individuals, but serve as a metaphor for the Babylonian community, the state, and the city itself [רש״י, רד״ק]. This intense shame stems from a dramatic shift in their fate. The pride and happiness the Babylonians once felt while looting other nations will be replaced by a burning humiliation when new enemies arrive to plunder them [רד״ק].
To convey the depth of this disgrace, dual expressions of shame and motherhood are utilized. One approach views this repetition as a rhetorical tool, using synonyms simply to reinforce the strength of the message [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Another perspective sees a deliberate escalation, pointing to an intensifying progression of disgrace. In this view, the shame moves beyond basic embarrassment to a profound humiliation that makes a person want to hide their face. Similarly, while a mother might merely refer to a caregiver or nanny, the specific mention of the one who actually gave birth points directly to the biological source of life, making the resulting shame far more personal, painful, and severe [מלבי״ם].
Ultimately, the final legacy of the kingdom will be one of total emptiness. Even though the Chaldean empire began with immense greatness and power, its future will be stripped of all good and left entirely desolate [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. As a punishment, the inhabitants will be killed, and the vibrant land will be reduced to an absolute wasteland [רד״ק]. A sequence of terms describing deserts and dry landscapes highlights this devastation. By stacking these similar concepts together, the message emphasizes the absolute destruction and barren dryness that will permanently settle over the exact place where a mighty empire once stood [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד].