Iniquity is risen up into a rod of impiety: nothing of them shall remain, nor of their people, nor of the noise of them: and there shall be no rest among them.
הֶחָמָ֥ס ׀ קָ֖ם לְמַטֵּה־רֶ֑שַׁע לֹא־מֵהֶ֞ם וְלֹ֧א מֵהֲמוֹנָ֛ם וְלֹ֥א מֶהֱמֵהֶ֖ם וְלֹא־נֹ֥הַּ בָּהֶֽם׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Transgression increases through the authority of the wicked, as a sinful nation faces consequences for their actions. This is not a result of their own strength or the circumstances they find themselves in. The prophet conveys this message, indicating that the Babylonians are not acting solely by their own might.
The scepter will thrive, and the punishment will fade away, while the foundation of the ungodly will be shattered. The scepter symbolizes discipline, nurtured by sin, and its flourishing; reproach refers to the wrongdoing against God that they have repeatedly pursued, disregarding His patience. Yet now, declares God, this reproach has reached its limit and will devastate the claims of the unrighteous. Therefore, He further states:
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS