ירמיהו, פרק נ׳, פסוק מ״ה

God's decree against the Babylonian empire is absolute and unavoidable. Because no earthly power can challenge God, His carefully laid plans for Babylon's downfall will be carried out with complete certainty [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. His intentions are directed squarely against the nation, taking the form of a binding divine oath to ensure the outcome is inevitable [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The impending punishment is severe, depicting the Babylonians being forcefully dragged across the ground [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. This violent defeat is carried out by an unexpected force, characterized conceptually as the youngest or smallest of the flock. Commentators offer two distinct ways to understand the identity of this group. The first approach identifies them as the actual nations that conquered Babylon, highlighting their seemingly insignificant origins [מצודת ציון]. Specifically, it refers to the Persian nation, historically considered the youngest among the descendants of Japheth [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Although nations like Persia, Media, and Elam lacked historical prominence, they managed to raise a massive army that ultimately crushed the mighty Babylonian empire [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Alternatively, this unexpected force represents the Israelites. While the armies of Media and Persia were the ones who physically overpowered and destroyed the Babylonians, the Israelites are recognized as the true underlying cause of the empire's collapse. The invading armies served merely as God's instruments of punishment and revenge for the destruction Babylon inflicted upon Israel and His Temple. Because of this, it is considered as though the Israelites themselves dragged the Babylonians to their ruin [רד״ק].

The final outcome of God's oath is total devastation. God will transform every Babylonian dwelling and settlement into a desolate wasteland [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This complete ruin will not happen in secret; it will unfold right before their eyes, forced upon them while they watch entirely powerless to stop it [מצודת דוד].