Deuteronomy 28:53Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This prophecy came to fruition during the times of the Assyrians and Babylonians, and the act of consuming children occurred during the sieges.

"Then devastate the flesh of your sons." This was in the midst of the same siege, as both Jeremiah (Jer. 19:9) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 5:10) bear witness.

Finally, there are the hardships brought about by the Romans' siege of the city. As it is written, "Bear the children of thy womb, the flesh of thy sons and daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in thy affliction, and in thy distress, by which thy enemy shall offend thee." This passage anticipates various tribulations, which the prophet Jeremiah recognized while composing his lament after experiencing the Babylonian captivity, as noted in Lamentations 2:20.

The profound suffering of those under siege in Jerusalem by the Romans is captured by Moses in this way: ‘Bear the children of thy womb, the flesh of thy sons and daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in thy affliction, and in thy distress: with it shall thy enemy offend thee.’ This calamity befell Israel, who had reached the fullness of their unrighteousness by turning against God.