A sudden and dramatic reversal of fortune awaits the arrogant conqueror. Those who once lived quietly under his heavy rule will unexpectedly awaken to exact a cruel and total revenge. The attack will happen without any warning [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The enemies will rise up as if waking from a deep sleep [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, אבן עזרא], though some suggest their awakening is more akin to a violent cutting down of the oppressor [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They will attack fiercely, using biting and tearing motions to bring down their target [מצודת ציון], causing severe trembling and shock [מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא]. Ultimately, the once-proud conqueror will be entirely trampled underfoot [מצודת ציון], reduced to nothing more than ruin and plunder for his attackers [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The commentators explore the identity of these sudden attackers through three distinct but interconnected lenses. From a historical and political perspective, the attackers are the subjugated nations who finally rebel. Specifically, this points to the armies of Persia and Media, who launched a surprise attack on Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, killing him and destroying his capital [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another view within this historical framework suggests that those waking up to take revenge are the children of the innocent people the conqueror had previously murdered [אבן עזרא].
A second approach understands the downfall as a sharp economic metaphor regarding heavy debts and loans. In this reading, the biting nature of the attack does not refer to physical violence, but rather to the crushing weight of financial interest. Creditors suddenly rise up to demand their interest payments, and then aggressively shake the debtor to recover the original loan. Because the debtor has no way to pay, he is utterly trampled and stripped of everything he owns [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Finally, a third perspective offers a chilling physical description of the conqueror's ultimate fate after death. Despite his immense pride during his lifetime, he will face ultimate disgrace by being thrown out of his grave [רד״ק]. Another striking interpretation within this view suggests that the biting and shaking enemies are actually grave worms. These creatures will wake from their slumber to take over his lifeless body, moving it and biting his flesh into pieces deep within the earth [רד ק בשם אביו, אבן עזרא בשם ר' ישועה].