וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ נְטוּיָ֔ה “And with an outstretched arm,” (Deut. 26:8) This refers to the sword.” (Hag.) This comes to inform us how God smote them. Even though the Torah states, “then the hand of Adonai will strike,” (Ex. 9:3) and, ““This is the finger of God!” (Ex. 8:15) there was nothing in God’s hands. It is similar to what is written about the ministering angels who placed their finger on them and burned them up. So too, God’s (proverbial) sword was a sword of retribution.