הִנֵּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה בּוֹקֵ֥ק הָאָ֖רֶץ וּבֽוֹלְקָ֑הּ וְעִוָּ֣ה פָנֶ֔יהָ וְהֵפִ֖יץ יֹשְׁבֶֽיהָ׃
Eis que o SENHOR esvazia a terra e a desola, transtorna a sua superfície e dispersa os seus moradores.
Derashot HaRan
However, such operations entail the activation of mediating effluences between ourselves and the Blessed One. For, apparently, changes in the terrestrial presuppose changes in the celestial, our sages saying in this connection (Mechilta Beshalach 2): "The Holy One Blessed be He does not exact payment from a people until He exacts it from its heavenly plenipotentiaries first." Several verses are adduced in corroboration of this principle, among them (Isaiah 24:1): "The L-rd shall punish the host of the high ones," and (Exodus 12:12): "And against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments."