מיכה, פרק ז׳, פסוק י״ז

In the future, the nations that once oppressed the people of Israel will face total defeat and deep humiliation. This downfall will ultimately bring them to recognize the greatness of God and the elevated status of His people.

The surrender of these nations is pictured as a complete physical and symbolic lowering. They will bow entirely to the ground before the Israelites, appearing as though they are licking the dust of their feet, much like a snake that feeds on the dirt [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. Others view this as a literal battlefield defeat, where the fallen will wallow in the dust [אברבנאל]. This deep humiliation represents closing a circle in history. Just as the ancient serpent was cursed to eat dust for causing humanity to sin, these nations will be brought low for the harm they inflicted upon Israel [אברבנאל].

To emphasize the depth of this submission, their state is also likened to worms and insects that drag themselves along their bellies [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא]. While a snake can occasionally lift its head, these defeated nations will be reduced to the level of creeping things, completely unable to rise [מלבי״ם]. Overcome with panic, their stability will shatter [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון].

Commentators offer different perspectives on where this trembling takes place. One approach suggests that the nations will lock themselves away inside their fortified cities and grand palaces. Yet even within those safe havens, they will shake with terror and be unable to step outside freely [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. Another perspective connects their terror directly to their past cruelties. They will tremble at the memory of the prisons and places of exile where they once locked away and tormented the Israelites, realizing that the time for revenge has finally arrived [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

Ultimately, their anxiety will not merely be a reaction to the horrors of war, but a deep spiritual awakening. They will tremble before the greatness of God, fully understanding that there is no power in the world other than Him [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. At the same time, this awe will be directed toward the Israelites themselves, as the nations finally see that God is truly present with His people [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. This emotional response involves two distinct types of fear: a deep dread born from a massive and unknown danger, alongside a clear and focused awe of something tangible and known [מלבי״ם].