עובדיה, פרק א׳, פסוק ט׳

The collapse of Edom's military power represents a profound shattering of their national identity. Since the ancient blessing given to Esau that he would live by his sword, military might had been their defining hallmark. Yet, in the moment of their downfall, these legendary warriors are struck by a paralyzing fear and despair that ultimately seals the fate of the entire nation [צאינה וראינה].

A deep terror breaks the spirit of the fighters on the battlefield [מצודות, שטיינזלץ], driving them to flee in sheer panic toward the land of Ishmael [רש״י]. This collapse is particularly devastating for Teman, the southern region of the Land of Israel where the people of Edom resided in Mount Seir [מצודות]. Teman is highlighted because it was historically renowned for its extraordinarily strong fighters [אבן עזרא], whether understood as a broader region or as a specific city and family descended from Esau's son Eliphaz [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

With the spirit of their greatest heroes broken, Edom is left entirely without strategy or the ability to endure the war. Consequently, every last person will be cut off from the mountain of Esau, resulting in a total annihilation that leaves absolutely no survivors [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. This complete eradication is not a matter of a natural passing; rather, it is brought about through mass slaughter and violent killing [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

The underlying cause of this ultimate destruction is understood in interconnected ways. One approach views the total ruin as the direct result of God's action of eliminating the wise men of Edom, leaving the nation vulnerable and defenseless [אבן עזרא]. Another perspective suggests a continuous chain of events on the battlefield: the mighty warriors themselves are overcome with dread at the prospect of the impending slaughter, and this very terror is exactly what paves the way for the absolute destruction of the inhabitants of Mount Esau [מלבי״ם].