What does the verse teach about the day?
Rashi: It came.
What is the subject of "Hine Va'ah"?
Rashi: The evil [came].
What is the significance of "Yatz'ah ha'Tzefirah"?
Rashi: Morning of the day of evil came.
Malbim: Dawn went and became distant - it is now the middle of the day.
What is the meaning of "Tzatz ha'Mateh"?
Rashi: [The staff blossomed] in order to strike you.
Radak #1: Mateh is tilting the verdict. "Parach ha'Zadon" supports this. Evil deeds that Yisrael did blossomed, i.e. they will receive the punishment.
Radak #2: Nebuchadnetzar is called Mateh, similar to "Hoy Ashur Shevet Api u'Mateh Hu v'Yadam Zami" (Yeshayah 10:5). This is "Yatz'ah ha'Tzefirah." He is called also Zadon - "Hineni Elecha Zadon" (Yirmeyah 50:31). Yonason translates like this - 'the authority sprouted, the Rasha appeared.'
Malbim: In place of dawn, the staff that strikes, it sprouted - Bavel's army.
What is the meaning of "Parach ha'Zadon"?
Rashi: The Rasha Nebuchadnetzar was revealed.
Malbim: Even though the signs of the punishment are here, Zadon sprouts and they do not repent.
