שמואל א, פרק י״ז, פסוק י״א

Goliath's taunts deliver a crushing psychological blow to the Israelite camp. A paralyzing terror grips the entire nation, freezing everyone from the highest leadership down to the ordinary soldiers. This overwhelming sense of fear, brokenness, and defeat prevents any response to the provocation [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ, חומת אנך]. Even though the Israelites clearly hear the Philistine's insults, the sheer dread stops them in their tracks, and not a single person can find the courage to step forward and fight [מלבי״ם].

The intense anxiety spreading through the camp is magnified by the dual effect of Goliath's speech. His words do not merely threaten the Israelites; they actively encourage and energize the opposing Philistine army [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond this visible panic, a deeper spiritual terror takes hold of the people. Their initial submission to the wicked warrior's threats quickly spirals into a profound, subconscious dread. Sometimes, even when a person cannot fully see a danger with their physical eyes, their spiritual senses perceive the true weight of the threat, which only intensifies the panic [חומת אנך]. The deep, lingering nature of this terror is even reflected in the traditional chanting of the text, which audibly draws out the moment of their fear to emphasize its overwhelming power [מנחת שי].