יחזקאל, פרק כ״ד, פסוק כ״ג

A devastating tragedy falls upon the people, yet they are strictly forbidden from showing any outward signs of public mourning or shedding tears. This overwhelming state of general despair, combined with an utter lack of comfort and a gripping fear of the enemy, leaves the people completely stunned into silence. Denied the natural release of crying, their grief turns inward, leading to a profound internal collapse rather than an external expression of sorrow.

Because they cannot mourn openly, the intense agony brought on as a punishment for their past wrongs will consume them from the inside. They will feel as though they are physically melting and wasting away under the weight of their own misery. [רד״ק] and [מלבי״ם] point out that this condition mirrors the ancient warning that the people would rot away in their sins.

With their heartache trapped inside, the people will eventually let out low groans of distress. [רד״ק] describes this as an internal roar, the sound of a person suffering deeply and filled with bitter remorse for their past actions. It is a quiet cry born out of frustration, profound sadness, and a guilty conscience. This moaning will ripple through the entire community, shared from one person to another. Since everyone is facing the exact same pain, loss, and hopelessness, they will all find themselves completely equal in their silent suffering [מצודת דוד].