Commentaire sur Isaïe 21:4

fright (פַּלָּצוּת). fright.

פלצות Boasting.¹⁰A. V., Fearfulness. Comp. מפלצתה her pride (1 Kings 15:13); the meaning of the whole phrase is: The boasting of the Persians terrified me; it may also be rendered trembling; comp. יתפלצון they tremble (Job 9:6).¹¹פלץ has, according to I. E., two meanings, (1) to boast, (2) to terrify. For the first, however, there is no authority; the instance of מפלצתה proves nothing; it means, as may be seen from the context, her idol, the object of her fear, so that all meanings of this root can be derived from the same origin, פלץ to terrify.

the evening of my desire The night that I longed for, for rejoicing and for a banquet. In the Book of Josipon we find that he was happy since his troops had defeated the army of Persia. (Book 1, ch. 5) That night He made for me into trembling, as it is said (Dan. 5:1): “King Belshazzar made a great feast...They drank wine...(verse 4). On that very night, King Belshazzar was slain...(verse 30).” (6:1) “And Darius the Mede received the kingdom.”

The night of my pleasure. The night in which he drank out of the holy vessels. Hath he turned, into fear unto me. Belshazzar was frightened when Daniel read to him the miraculous writing (Dan. 5:3)