A city's defense system often serves a purely practical purpose, but it can also act as a striking display of glory. The walls and towers of this great city are manned by a diverse array of forces that project immense power while adding to its outward beauty. The men of Arvad, along with the city's own army and other forces, stand guard all around the walls to protect against enemy attacks [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד].
Positioned high up in the towers is another group of guards, whose exact identity is a matter of varied interpretation. The primary approach among commentators is that these are people of unusually short stature, measuring only about a cubit tall [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Placing such short sentries in the towers is a strategic choice, allowing them to observe the enemy camp safely without being seen or struck by incoming arrows [מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, these guards are not actually short at all. Rather, the towers are so exceptionally high that the men standing at the top merely appear tiny to anyone looking up from the ground [מלבי״ם]. Other interpretations suggest that their title does not refer to their height, but identifies them as a specific nation, such as the Cappadocians, or a group named after their homeland or trade [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another unique perspective identifies them as specialized workers who dive into the ocean depths to measure the sea floor [רש״י].
To further project their military might, the guards hang their equipment, understood either as shields [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ] or as quivers for arrows [רש״י], in large piles along the walls [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. This bold display of weaponry and foreign manpower completes the visual perfection of the city [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, beneath this grand display lies a sharp critique. While the city proudly shows off its flawless beauty, this glory is not authentic to the city itself. Instead, it is an artificial perfection, assembled and borrowed from an array of foreign nations [מלבי״ם].