THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
In concise terms, God provides insight into these matters, referring to famine and death as fire; thus, He ordered that two-thirds be consumed by flames since both famine and death annihilate humanity like fire. The sword represents the assault from adversaries and the ensuing slaughter they would inflict. Furthermore, the act of scattering symbolizes the captivity and subsequent dispersion, which He supplemented by declaring, And I will draw the sword in their wake: for after they were made captives, they endured countless forms of death.