תהלים, פרק ע״ו, פסוק ו׳

The downfall of mighty armies and fierce warriors often happens in the blink of an eye. In moments of divine judgment, overwhelming military pride and physical might can instantly transform into absolute helplessness.

These fighters are initially characterized by their deep-seated pride and internal strength [שטיינזלץ]. Many identify these specific forces as the massive army of Sennacherib [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם], or as a coalition of nations that gathered to besiege Jerusalem [רד״ק]. Yet, their formidable nature quickly unravels. The primary approach among commentators is that these fierce soldiers were struck by a sudden madness, foolishness, and deep confusion [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. They completely lost their sanity, a mental collapse that some understand as the crushing realization of their fatal mistake in oppressing Israel [מאירי]. Taking a different perspective, other commentators suggest that rather than losing their minds, these mighty nations were simply reduced to plunder, becoming the very spoils of war for Israel [רד״ק, מאירי].

As their defeat unfolded, the warriors sank into a profound state of vulnerability. Overcome by terror from God's rebuke, they fell into a heavy sleep, completely unaware of the sudden disaster overtaking them [שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, this deep sleep is understood as a metaphor for death. It was an eternal slumber in which the soldiers stood powerless, ultimately falling as lifeless corpses [מצודת דוד, מאירי, רד״ק].

In this sudden defeat, the soldiers experienced a total loss of physical power. They grew weak and entirely disoriented, as if they had literally lost their hands. Stripped of their capability, they were left with no strength to grasp their weapons or put up a fight [רש״י, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Beyond the military context, there is a conceptual approach that views these events as a reference to prophets and wise men, such as Jeremiah, Daniel, and the Men of the Great Assembly. According to this view, these spiritual leaders lost their strength and appeared to sink into a deep sleep, entirely overwhelmed and confused by the destruction of the Temple and the apparent concealment of God's might during that dark period [אלשיך].