זכריה, פרק ז׳, פסוק י״ב

The people reached a state of extreme stubbornness, completely refusing to listen to any divine messages. To avoid hearing the truth, they hardened their hearts to an extraordinary degree. Commentators debate the exact nature of the impenetrable material they metaphorically turned their hearts into. The primary approach is that it represents a highly precious, unbreakable stone that even iron cannot scratch or shape [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others identify it simply as solid iron [מצודת ציון]. A different perspective suggests it refers to a miraculous worm stronger than rock, which can split a stone merely by being placed near it [רש״י]. Regardless of the exact imagery, the core meaning remains the same: their hearts were entirely sealed off. Nothing could penetrate their awareness, not even witnessing actual punishments unfold right before their eyes, which should have naturally filled them with fear [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In their stubbornness, the people ignored two distinct types of communication. First, they rejected the teachings of Moses, which offer rational guidance and logical warnings [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. Second, they ignored the direct words of the prophets, who delivered harsh rebukes and warnings of severe consequences meant to wake the people from their apathy [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

These messages were sent directly by God through His spirit. This divine spirit is understood either as the spirit of prophecy that spoke directly to the prophets [רד״ק], or as a specific mission delivered through an angel [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Because the people completely shut themselves off from both the rational guidance and the urgent rebukes, a great and intense anger arose from God against the ancestors of that generation [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת דוד].