Hosea 11:6
A sword will flash through their cities;
What it says
The sword will whirl through their cities, destroy their defenses, and consume them because of their own counsels.
What it is doing
This verse describes judgment reaching the nation's strongest visible structures.
In context
1When Israel was a child, I loved him, 2But the more I called Israel, 3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, 4I led them with cords of kindness, 5Will they not return to the land of Egypt 6A sword will flash through their cities; 7My people are bent on turning from Me.