A sudden, dramatic shift from deep suffering to wondrous triumph leaves the world completely stunned. Just as the nations once looked on in disbelief at the lowly and painful state of the Israelites, they will be equally shocked by their sudden rise to greatness [מלבי״ם, שד״ל, אבן עזרא].
How this newfound power affects the surrounding nations is a matter of debate. The primary approach among commentators is that this shift represents raw power and control. Having endured suffering, the Israelites will overpower the nations that once scattered them, scattering them in return and even shedding their blood in revenge [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, another perspective suggests the reaction is one of sheer physical panic, with the sudden reversal causing the nations to literally jump from their places in shock [שד״ל]. A third, unique view shifts the focus to speech, proposing that the nations will simply not be able to stop talking about the greatness of the people [רד״ק].
The response of the world's leaders is equally dramatic. Generally, kings are quick to speak up and fight for their own people. Yet, faced with this new reality, the majority of commentators agree that these leaders will fall completely silent. Overcome with awe, wonder, and shame, they will close their mouths and not dare to speak a word against the Israelites [מלבי״ם, רש״י, מצודת דוד, שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In contrast, a different opinion argues the exact opposite: rather than falling silent, the kings will open their mouths wide in amazement to declare the greatness of the nation [רד״ק].
The root of this massive surprise lies in witnessing the unimaginable. The nations will see a level of salvation and immense honor granted to a people they had always viewed as weak and worthless [אבן עזרא, רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The reality unfolding before their very eyes will go far beyond any story or rumor they had ever heard [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. This sparks a deep mental shift. First, they will witness an event so unprecedented that it could never have been told as a story. Then, as they look deeper, they will intellectually grasp a concept that was previously entirely impossible for them to even imagine or think about [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, רש״י].