ירמיהו, פרק נ״א, פסוק ל״ו

Following the painful cries of Zion and Jerusalem over the violence and bloodshed they suffered at the hands of Babylon, God announces His direct intervention. The upcoming punishment is a direct consequence of how Babylon treated Israel [מצודת דוד]. God declares that He is personally taking on Jerusalem's fight [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He will avenge the violence committed against her and the blood that the Babylonians spilled [מלבי״ם].

The impending ruin of Babylon is described with harsh imagery of dryness and absolute desolation [מצודת ציון]. God promises to dry up Babylon's sea and its water springs, a threat that is understood in two distinct ways. One approach views the waters metaphorically, where Babylon's sea represents its massive wealth and economic prosperity that once flowed endlessly. Drying up these waters means completely cutting off this financial abundance [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The double mention of drying both the sea and the spring serves to emphasize the total loss of this wealth [מצודת דוד].

Conversely, another perspective takes the threat literally. It describes the physical drying of the defensive water channels, moats, and natural springs that surrounded and protected the city [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Stripped of its water and defenses, Babylon will face total devastation, ultimately becoming nothing more than a permanent mound of ruins [מלבי״ם].