ישעיהו, פרק י״ד, פסוק י׳

Deep within the underworld, a dramatic scene of astonishment unfolds as a once-mighty ruler descends into the grave. This king, Nebuchadnezzar, had shattered nations and ruled the world with such absolute power that he seemed like an eternal force of nature. Yet, as he enters the realm of the dead, the former inhabitants of the underworld rise to greet him, completely stunned to discover that his ultimate fate is no different from their own [אברבנאל, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The inhabitants of the grave break their silence, raising their voices in a loud cry [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. Some interpret this outcry simply as the natural beginning of their speech [רד״ק], while others emphasize that this is a highly figurative scene. The dead cannot actually speak, but if they could, these are the exact words they would utter [אבן עזרא].

They call out to the fallen king, marveling at his sudden frailty. Drawing on concepts of illness and disease [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון], their message highlights how the ruler has been entirely crushed, stripped of his strength, and left powerless [שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The dead express immense wonder: how is it possible that a man who wielded such terrifying power in the land of the living now suffers the exact same pains of death and torments of the grave as any ordinary person [רש״י, מצודת דוד]?

They conclude their cry by declaring that the king has become exactly like them [מצודת ציון]. Despite his former greatness, his body was merely flesh and blood, ultimately surrendering to decay. In the end, he is exposed as entirely human and vulnerable, claimed by the very same death that comes for everyone [מלבי״ם, רש״י, רד״ק].