יחזקאל, פרק ל״ו, פסוק י׳

A promise of profound renewal awaits the Land of Israel, transforming a desolate landscape into a vibrant, bustling center for the entire nation. The assurance of a massive population increase stands in sharp contrast to the reality of the Israelites in exile. While scattered, they are few in number and require little sustenance, but in the future, their numbers will grow immensely [אברבנאל]. From a historical perspective, this demographic expansion points to the people who returned to the land during the eras of Cyrus and Artaxerxes [מלבי״ם].

The prophecy places a strong emphasis on the inclusion of the complete nation. The primary approach among commentators is that this highlights the future return of the Ten Tribes, who disappeared and remained hidden throughout the generations.

This dramatic increase in population will have an immediate physical impact on the land. Cities that were long abandoned and left empty will once again be filled with inhabitants [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. Following the return of the people, the ruined areas will undergo complete reconstruction [מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון]. Ultimately, this process of resettlement and rebuilding is specifically focused on the territories of the Kingdom of Ephraim, the historical inheritance of the returning Ten Tribes [אברבנאל].