A vivid agricultural scene captures the total downfall of enemies, blending the forces of nature with direct divine intervention. The focus rests on the leftover waste of the grain, the thin straw or outer shell that surrounds the kernel [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This metaphor illustrates their empty pride. In a field, the chaff and straw stand tall and prominent, appearing to be the main crop, while the truly valuable wheat remains hidden. Similarly, these enemies project superiority and dominance. However, just as the wind eventually separates and scatters the useless waste, these proud individuals will be dispersed and lose their status [אלשיך]. The ultimate hope is that they will be left wandering endlessly, swept from place to place like debris lost to the breeze [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Yet, the wind alone does not complete this downfall; an angel of God is actively involved. The primary approach among commentators focuses on ensuring these enemies find no peace. In nature, windblown chaff might eventually hit a fence or an obstacle and settle there. The angel's role is to keep pushing them past every barrier, guaranteeing they never find rest and are scattered until no trace remains [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Others view the angel's presence as a clear sign of divine oversight. While the punishment appears to come from a natural force, it is not a random event. It is a deliberate process guided by an agent of God who actively pursues them [מלבי״ם].
Another perspective suggests that this angelic involvement highlights the sheer terror of the moment. Since chaff is exceptionally light, it does not actually require a physical push. The addition of the angel emphasizes a state of divine panic, causing the enemies to stumble and flee far more rapidly than any natural wind could force them to [מאירי]. Alternatively, this exact lightness reveals their underlying vulnerability. Because they are as weak as chaff, the angel does not need to strike them with great power. A simple, light push from God's messenger is entirely sufficient to clear them away [אלשיך].