ירמיהו, פרק נ׳, פסוק מ׳

The impending fall of Babylon is an event of absolute and final destruction, mirroring the most famous symbol of ruin in biblical history. God will destroy the empire in the exact same manner that He overturned Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities of the plain [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The concept of an overturning is used to emphasize the sheer magnitude and extreme severity of the ruin the city will experience [רד״ק]. This fate also includes the neighboring areas, much like the original destruction encompassed nearby cities such as Admah and Zeboiim.

At its core, the nature of this destruction is one of absolute distancing. God will completely remove Babylon from His presence, just as He cast away Sodom and its neighbors [רד״ק]. The aftermath of this divine judgment will be total desolation. The land will be so thoroughly ruined that it will support no human life. Not only will permanent settlements cease to exist, but even passing travelers will be unable to stay there temporarily [מצודת דוד]. Any form of human dwelling or brief stay will become entirely impossible in the ruined city [מצודת ציון].