A powerful empire that once spread destruction and fear across the earth ultimately meets a grim and humbling end, descending into a mass grave of defeated nations. The prophecy focuses on the nation of Elam, which is assigned a resting place alongside other fallen empires [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators envisions this scene taking place deep within the underworld, where Elam is buried in a vast trench near the king of Egypt. Here, they share a common grave with other wicked forces who fell in battle [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In contrast, a more graphic interpretation pictures the actual battlefield. In this view, the surrounding enemies are Roman soldiers who fought against Elam. As the dead pile up on the field, the bodies of the Roman troops physically cover Elam's fallen, serving as their makeshift graves [אברבנאל].
This severe downfall is a direct consequence of the terror and devastation Elam inflicted upon the world, particularly within the Land of Israel. This fear is directly tied to the disruption of the Temple. However, a crucial distinction exists regarding their guilt. Unlike the Romans, who destroyed the Second Temple with clear malicious intent, Elam did not act out of pure wickedness. Instead, they listened to the slander of informers and merely halted the ongoing construction of the Temple. Because they did not actively initiate the cruelty, the terror is described as happening in their name rather than by their own hands. Consequently, their punishment is carefully measured to match their specific level of guilt [אברבנאל].
As they descend into the pit, Elam carries a deep sense of shame. This humiliation stems from their disgraceful burial, particularly the indignity of being forced to lie among foreign casualties whom they considered impure [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. The poetic repetition emphasizing their place among the dead serves to highlight the sheer depth of their grave and the ultimate lowliness of their final state [מצודת דוד].