The Glorious Home-Coming of the Exiles. To Israel, despised and oppressed, Yahweh promises a reversal of fortune so wonderful that kings in astonishment shall do homage to Israel, recognising him as Yahweh's chosen. When the time is ripe Yahweh responds to his appeal. He will preserve him and restore him to the deserted homeland, bidding the exiles and prisoners come forth. He, their shepherd, will feed them on their way through the barren country. Nor shall the sirocco or the sun's heat strike them, for He will lead them from the most distant dispersion by tree-shaded streams, along a road miraculously made over mountain and plain.
Isaiah 49:7. Read, whom nations abhor. rulers: in bad sense, tyrants. worship: render, do homage.
Isaiah 49:8. acceptable time: a time of favour. The perfects are perfects of certainty, I will answer, I will help. Render, raising up, making; the subject is Yahweh.
Isaiah 49:10. heat: i.e. the hot wind (LXX). Mg. is wrong; a mirage cannot smite (Isaiah 35:7 *). Sinim: possibly Syene in the S. of Egypt, where there was certainly a settlement of Jews in the fifth century B.C.