מיכה, פרק ז׳, פסוק ט״ז

In the future, the ultimate revelation of God's power will stand in absolute contrast to the military might of the world's nations. When His promises reach their complete fulfillment [אבן עזרא], the entire reality of the world will shift, leaving the enemies of the Israelites completely helpless. The primary approach among commentators is that as nations gather to attack Jerusalem, similar to the great war of Gog and Magog, they will suddenly witness God's wonders. This experience will fill them with deep shame and terror. They will realize that the physical and military strength they relied on to conquer Israel is entirely empty and useless against divine miracles. In an instant, their power will be wiped out, forcing them to understand that no human force can ever overcome the will of God [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Struck by this sudden realization, the nations will be reduced to absolute silence, symbolically placing their hands over their mouths. Stripped of any response, they will no longer be able to boast about their strength [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This profound silence will stem from utter shock, as they find themselves without the mental or human capacity to find words for the supernatural wonders unfolding right before their eyes [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

This physical and emotional reaction will extend even further, as the nations will act as though they have lost their sense of hearing [מצודת ציון]. Commentators offer different perspectives on the cause of this sudden deafness. Some explain that distant nations will be overcome with shock and anxiety simply from hearing the news of Israel's success and the ruin of their enemies [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest this deafness is born out of deep distress; the nations will simply refuse to hear about the prosperity of the Israelites, shutting their ears as if they had gone deaf [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective offers a different angle, suggesting that this deafness highlights a profound transition from merely hearing to actually seeing. Unlike the Exodus from Egypt, where the nations only heard reports of miracles and trembled, the future wonders will be so undeniably present that hearing will lose its purpose. Instead, the nations will experience God's actions exclusively through direct, undeniable vision [מלבי״ם].