ירמיהו, פרק נ׳, פסוק ל״ט

Babylon faces absolute and total destruction, condemned to become a desolate wasteland inhabited exclusively by wild animals. This severe fate serves as a direct punishment for the people's deep devotion to idol worship [מצודת דוד]. There is a profound connection between their sin and this specific consequence. God sends terrifying creatures into the ruins of the city, animals whose frightening shapes closely resemble the horrifying idols the people once worshipped [מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that the creatures destined to take over the ruins are wild animals naturally drawn to deserts and desolate places. Some of these are beasts associated with dry, arid environments [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], with some identifying them specifically as members of the mongoose family [רד״ק]. The ruins will also be filled with howling desert animals [ביאור שטיינזלץ] and wild cats [רש״י, רד״ק]. Alongside these beasts, the abandoned city will be populated by desert birds [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Ultimately, the fallen empire will never again see human settlement. It will transform into a permanent home for these wild desert creatures, remaining entirely devoid of human life until the end of time. The absolute finality of this ruin is heavily emphasized, making it clear that the desolation is permanent and will last through all future generations [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].