Isaiah 49:22-26

Isaiah 49:22 to Isaiah 50:3. The Promises to Zion Elaborated and Confirmed. At a sign from Yahweh the nations shall with solicitous care bring back the exiles to Zion. Kings and queens shall tend them and do them abject homage (is it too abject for the prophet to have penned Isaiah 49:23 or Isaiah 49:26?). So shall His people's trust in their God be justified. But from such mighty ones can the captives be freed? Yes: for Yahweh will fight His people's battle, and cause their oppressors to slay one another; all men shall know that He is the deliverer. He has not finally divorced Israel that would have required a bill of divorcement. Nor has debt compelled Him to sell His children into slavery; He has banished them as a punishment, and so He can bring them back. Why so reluctant to respond? Do they doubt His power, the power of Him who can dry up the sea and veil the heavens in darkness?

Isaiah 49:22. bosom: the fold of the garment.

Isaiah 49:24. Read Vulg, and Syr. (mg.).

Isaiah 50:2. Apparently an appeal to a well-known tradition of Yahweh's exploits at the creation. Read perhaps, Their fish dry up (LXX), because there is no water, and their monsters on the parched land.