יחזקאל, פרק כ״ו, פסוק ט״ז

The sudden collapse of a mighty global trading hub sends shockwaves across the world, deeply shaking the foreign leaders and kings who once relied on its commerce. Their reaction to this crisis is a profound mix of deep mourning and existential terror.

To express their grief, these maritime leaders abandon the traditional symbols of their authority. They step down from their thrones and sit directly on the ground, adopting a classic posture of mourning. They strip off their royal garments, discarding their heavy outer robes and their finely embroidered clothes, which are intricately woven with threads of silver and gold [מצודת ציון].

Instead of wearing majestic clothes, the leaders take on terror as their new garment. This panic surrounds and covers them completely, much like physical clothing [מצודת דוד]. Another view suggests this represents a physical action, where they put on sackcloth and ashes as an outward display of their intense fear [מלבי״ם].

The panic gripping these rulers stems from two intertwined causes. While they genuinely mourn the tragedy that has befallen the city, they are also struck by a deep fear for their own survival. They realize that if such a massive and powerful city can be destroyed, their own security is no longer guaranteed, leaving them terrified that the enemy will soon come to strike them down as well [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that their trembling is continuous. They shake with fear constantly, with their anxiety multiplying every passing moment. Another perspective links their dread directly to the threat of physical destruction, noting that they live in fear of being suddenly shattered by the exact same ruin that leveled the great city [רש״י]. Ultimately, the foreign kings are left in a state of absolute shock and bewilderment, completely stunned by the suddenness of the downfall.