ישעיהו, פרק י״ד, פסוק ז׳

The fall of the Babylonian empire and the end of its cruel rule usher in a profound sense of relief and joy across the world. The primary approach among commentators is that this global reaction follows the death of the Babylonian king. Specifically, [רד״ק] clarifies that this marks the absolute end of Nebuchadnezzar’s dynasty, culminating with the death of his grandson. The prophecy is framed directly against Nebuchadnezzar, speaking as though he himself had died on that very day.

The newfound peace is described with a dual emphasis. While [מצודת ציון] views this as a repetition of similar ideas to highlight the depth of the tranquility, [מלבי״ם] identifies a deliberate progression. An initial calm gives way to a higher, absolute state of rest. The world forgets the suffering and turmoil it endured, and former grief and fear are entirely replaced by complete joy.

In response to this peace, humanity breaks into song. According to [מצודת ציון] and [ביאור שטיינזלץ], this refers to people opening their mouths to raise a joyful, musical voice. Exploring the nature of this outburst, [שד״ל] explains that it describes a loud, erupting sound, much like something forcefully breaking through a physical barrier. Offering a different perspective, [אבן עזרא] connects the expression to an Arabic root, suggesting it denotes speech that is remarkably clear and pure.

There is an intriguing discussion regarding the relationship between the world's rest and the resulting song. Most commentators understand that the earth first experienced peace, and as a natural result, its inhabitants began to sing. However, [רש״י] presents a unique perspective on the structure of these events. He explains that the world being at rest is not the background condition that led to the singing, but rather the actual lyrics of the song itself. In this view, the people burst into joyful melody, actively singing the words that the entire earth has finally found quiet and rest.