ירמיהו, פרק נ״א, פסוק א׳

A severe prophecy of doom marks the beginning of the ultimate downfall destined for the Babylonian empire. God declares His active intervention in human history, stirring earthly forces to act as His tools to punish the destroyers of Jerusalem. He awakens a fierce, destructive will within the kings of Persia and Media, driving them to launch a devastating war [מצודת ציון, רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. The nature of their warfare is highly unusual. These invading kings do not fight to gain wealth, pleasure, or political advantage from their conquest. Instead, their sole driving purpose is absolute ruin, intending to destroy everything without leaving a single trace behind [מלבי״ם].

This impending disaster is directed at two specific targets. The first is Babylon itself, serving as the central royal city of the empire [מלבי״ם]. The second target is the wider Chaldean nation [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. They are poetically described as the very heart of the enemy, a brief way of referring to the inhabitants of the Chaldean land [רד״ק]. This specific imagery captures their true nature, as their hearts constantly rose up in rebellion against God and His nation. It was entirely from this deep-seated hatred and willful defiance that they ultimately destroyed the Temple [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך, אברבנאל].