# It will be as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel on a day of battle

The coming war is being compared to a battle long ago.

# Shalman

This is the name of a king who destroyed the city of Beth Arbel around 740 BC. His army murdered women and children in the attack. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# Beth Arbel

This is likely the name of a city of the tribe of Naphtali. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# So it will happen to you, Bethel, because of your great wickedness

Here "Bethel" represents the people who live there. The prophet addresses the people of Bethel as if they were there listening to him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])