ירמיהו, פרק נ׳, פסוק ל״ו

The collapse of Babylon is absolute, dismantling every pillar of security the empire relies upon. From the advisory leadership that guides its decisions to the military might that enforces its will, disaster strikes all fronts simultaneously, exposing a profound and inescapable helplessness.

The primary approach among commentators is that the empire's advisory network consists of magicians, astrologers, and fortune-tellers who are essentially fabricators. Their entire practice is built on inventing falsehoods and making up lies to deceive those who listen to them. When ruin finally strikes, the illusion of their brilliance shatters. These figures, once revered as wise, are suddenly overcome with foolishness and severe mental confusion. Their counsel is thwarted, and their magic proves useless. Faced with actual danger, they lose all their supposed insight and have no idea how to save themselves.

Just as this false wisdom collapses, so does Babylon's physical strength. The devastation is directed equally at the nation's warriors and military men. Ultimately, these soldiers are completely broken and utterly defeated, proving that physical might is just as fragile as fabricated wisdom when the empire falls.