God actively directs the course of history, mobilizing military forces to execute His divine judgment. By awakening the spirits of various nations, He transforms them into the chosen instruments of His anger and the messengers of His will. These forces are specially set apart, summoned, and prepared for a highly defined mission [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators is that God is calling upon the kings of Media and Persia—Cyrus and Darius—along with their vast armies to march forward and destroy the Babylonian empire [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. However, other perspectives suggest different identities for these summoned forces. Some argue that the Babylonians themselves are the ones being called to action [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another view divides the military campaign across two fronts: the specially appointed forces are the angelic princes operating in heaven, while the mighty warriors are the flesh-and-blood soldiers fighting on the earthly battlefield [חומת אנך].
Beyond simply being designated for a task, the status of these troops being set apart carries deeper meaning. It can imply a literal sense of sanctity, as ancient soldiers would often offer sacrifices before heading into combat and maintain strict purity within their military camps [שד״ל]. It may also reflect the specific character of the Persians, who were recognized for their modest and disciplined way of life, or conversely, it could signify that these forces are ultimately destined for destruction in hell [אברבנאל].
To carry out His fierce wrath and vengeance, God summons mighty warriors [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Within the military hierarchy, these mighty figures serve as the officers and commanders, while the masses of regular soldiers are characterized by their joyful pride [אברבנאל]. This joy reflects the triumph and pride they feel in the victory God secures through them, or it indicates that God Himself takes pride in their success [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this simply describes fearless fighters who naturally revel in their own confidence on the battlefield [שד״ל].
The combination of these different types of soldiers reveals a profound psychological and military insight into the nature of warfare. A conquering army is typically made up of two distinct kinds of fighters. The first group consists of ruthless warriors driven purely by a destructive urge to unleash anger. The second group is motivated by a quest for honor, glory, and pride. When God unites these two powerful motivations—unrestrained cruelty paired with an intense drive for prestige—the result is an exceptionally devastating military machine perfectly designed to wipe out the enemy completely [מלבי״ם].