ישעיהו, פרק י״ג, פסוק י׳

The collapse of a mighty empire often brings a profound sense of cosmic darkness and total ruin. In times of severe crisis and anxiety, even the most stable forces of nature seem to lose their power, plunging the world into a gloom that reflects a complete loss of hope. The primary approach among commentators is that this darkness is not a physical event, but a prophetic metaphor for immense tragedy and the horrors of war. The suffering and distress are so overwhelming that the victims feel as though the sun, moon, and stars have simply stopped shining. This psychological darkness is especially sharp right at sunrise, the exact moment when daylight is normally the most obvious and felt [מצודת דוד]. On a political level, the stars in the sky symbolize Babylon's ministers, their king, and their guiding star of success, all of which are slowly fading into nothingness [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

In contrast, another perspective suggests a literal divine intervention within the astrological system. God actively alters the laws of nature and removes the astrological oversight from Babylon. As a result, the specific stars that once guided the empire can no longer provide their natural flow of wealth, power, and success [אברבנאל].

The specific astronomical terms used to describe this destruction carry deep meaning. While the reference to constellations generally points to the zodiac and massive stars, some identify it as one specific giant star that gathers others around it [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Others view it as the Orion constellation, historically associated with a hero or a rebel against heaven [שד״ל], or even as the heart of Scorpio [אבן עזרא].

The descriptions of these fading lights reveal a fascinating distinction in the sky. The stars, which naturally possess their own internal sparkle, will fail to produce even the faintest twinkle. The sun, acting as the primary source of illumination, will go completely dark. Because of this, the moon, which has no light of its own and merely reflects the sun, will be left with nothing to mirror, leaving the earth in absolute darkness [מלבי״ם].