THEOSISVissarion (Nechaev)
The disaster predicted in this passage will come upon the wicked, not simultaneously with the events described in the previous verses but subsequently, when their understanding will not be illuminated, as indicated in verse 21, which is absent from the parimia. The Lord declares, "And I will send upon you fierce beasts." Following the Flood, God, by His blessing, affirmed humanity's rule over all creatures, stating, "Let all the beasts of the earth fear you, and let them tremble at you" (Gen. 9:2). However, the Lord warns that He will retract this blessing from those who do evil. Instead of fearing humankind, wild beasts will instill terror in them, boldly attacking not just their livestock but also preying upon people, leading to a significant decline in the population in that land.
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While we cannot pinpoint specific examples of these threats being realized among the Hebrews, it is well-documented that after the Israelites were taken into Assyrian exile, foreigners who moved into the region and intermixed with the local remnants faced divine retribution for failing to honor the Lord of that land and for their ignorance of His law. Consequently, the Lord sent lions among them, which proceeded to kill many (4 Kings 17:25-26). Such a fate could easily have befallen the original Israelites.