What is "Chamarmaru"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: They were pained due to great hunger.
Rashi: They were shriveled. A Mishnah (Chulin 56a) says 'if it fell in a fire and its innards were Nechmaru.'
Ibn Ezra: The root is Chemar (clay), for crying is like [Magihah in Toras Chayim - clouded] water; the last two letters of the root are doubled. The same applies to "Panai Chamarmaru" (Iyov 16:16). We find "Yayin Chamar" (Tehilim 75:9).
Rid: It is an expression of heat and burning. Ri Kara - this is like (Chulin 56a) 'if it fell in a fire and its innards were Nechmaru.'
Palgei Mayim: [When afflictions beset me], my heart was reversed for the good [but the afflictions persisted].
Why does it say "[mi'Chutz Shikelah Cherev] ba'Bayis ka'Maves"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: Inside was like death.
Rashi: Inside the house is fear of demons, damaging spirits and angels of death.
Ibn Ezra: There was hunger like death in the house.
Rid: This is like "mi'Chutz Teshakel Cherev ume'Chadarim Eimah" (Devarim 32:25) - inside the city was a plague, and outside the enemy's sword.
Ri Kara: Inside the house is fear of death, like "mi'Chutz Teshakel Cherev ume'Chadarim Eimah."
Palgei Mayim: If [the afflictions] were covert, they would not be so harsh in my eyes. (However, they are overt!)
