“I will direct
My indignation
Against you.
Thus they may deal
With you
In fury.
They shall cut off
Your nose.
They shall cut off
Your ears.
Your survivors
Shall fall
By the sword.
They shall seize
Your sons.
They shall seize
Your daughters.
Your survivors
Shall be devoured
By fire.
They shall also strip you
Of your clothes.
They will take away
Your fine jewels.”
Yahweh was going to let his indignation against Jerusalem be dealt out by the angry former lovers of Jerusalem. They would deal with her in all their anger. They would cut off her nose and ears. Anyone that survived would be killed by the sword. They were going to seize her sons and daughters. Anyone who survived all this would be devoured by fire. Finally, they would strip Jerusalem of all her clothes and fine jewels. These angry former lovers would carry out Yahweh’s will.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 