If ye turn again. — When ye return unto Jehovah, your brethren and your sons (shall become) objects of pity (rahamim, “compassion;” here that which inspires it) before their captors. (Comp. Psalms 106:46, “And he made them objects of pity before all their captors;” Nehemiah 1:11.)
Gracious and merciful. — Psalms 86:15; Exodus 34:6; in both places “merciful and gracious.” Nehemiah 9:17; Nehemiah 9:31, “gracious and merciful,” as here. (Comp. the formula of the Koran: “In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate.”)
Turn away his face. — Literally, turn aside face (a different word from “turn away” in 2 Chronicles 30:8).