ישעיהו, פרק ל״ד, פסוק ז׳

The imagery of God's judgment continues to unfold, painting a picture of total collapse for those in power. As the destruction sweeps through the land, the mightiest rulers and warriors are brought down to the slaughter like heavy, powerful beasts [שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Earlier imagery focused on sheep and goats, representing the common people or minor officials. Now, the focus shifts to large, wild, horned animals and robust, healthy bulls [רש״י, מצודת ציון, שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These powerful creatures serve as a metaphor for the highest levels of leadership—the ministers, kings, and mighty heroes who will fall alongside the masses [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

There are different perspectives on the exact identity of these powerful figures. They may represent the kings of Edom themselves, facing their ultimate downfall [אבן עזרא]. Alternatively, they are kings, ministers, and warriors from other nations who ally with Edom. These foreign powers arrive to offer military support but will ultimately share in the destruction, falling in battle right alongside the people they came to help [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The aftermath of this massive defeat is described through the physical impact on the land itself. The ground will be completely saturated with blood, and the soil enriched by the fat of the fallen [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], which will melt from their bodies under the heat of the sun [אברבנאל]. A careful look at this process reveals a distinct sequence involving the deep earth and the surface dust. Soil that is already thick with fat cannot absorb liquid. Therefore, the blood must first seep down, soaking the deep, lower layers of the earth. Only after the blood has been absorbed does the topsoil become enriched by the fat, as fat naturally remains on the surface and does not sink into the depths [מלבי״ם].