ירמיהו, פרק נ״א, פסוק י״ד

An absolute divine declaration seals the fate of Babylon, promising total destruction through the imagery of massive swarms and devastation. God swears by His own essence to bring about this ruin. Although the concept of swearing by one's soul is a human trait, the prophets often use human language to convey divine actions; in truth, there is no separation between God's essence and His soul [רד״ק]. This oath serves as an absolute, unbreakable promise that Babylon's end is certain [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ], acting as a formal vow of impending doom [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

To illustrate the scale of this downfall, the looming event is compared to a swarm of locusts. Specifically, this refers to a developmental stage of the insect before it grows wings, a time when it travels in overwhelming swarms of millions [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that God will bring massive, battle-hardened enemy armies to cover and ravage the Babylonian landscape, consuming it entirely like a plague of insects. Conversely, another perspective suggests that the swarms represent Babylon's own population. According to this view, even if the city is overflowing with its own people, their vast numbers will offer no protection or chance of salvation [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Ultimately, the fall of the city will be marked by loud cries of triumph from the invaders. The attackers will raise their voices in a cheer of joy and victory, characteristic of looters claiming their spoils [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. This victorious shout is deliberately compared to the rhythmic singing and cheering of workers treading grapes in a winepress. The vivid comparison serves as a final, crushing metaphor: the invading forces will completely trample and destroy Babylon, just as grapes are pressed underfoot [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].