A profound historical role reversal awaits the people of Israel, where former oppressors and captors will eventually become subjects and servants in the land of Israel. The initial stage of this redemption involves the active participation of the world's nations, who will help the Israelites return to their homeland [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. This assistance will be inspired by the deep respect shown to Israel by Cyrus, the king of Persia. Witnessing this honor, the nations will willingly offer themselves as servants [אבן עזרא]. Historically, this dynamic was visible during the return to Zion, when neighboring peoples supported the Jews with substantial wealth and provided them with servants for the journey back [שד״ל, אברבנאל].
Once settled in the land of Israel, the Israelites will inherit these nations. The foreigners will assume the status of servants and second-class citizens [שטיינזלץ], passed down as an inheritance from one generation to the next [רד״ק]. A clear principle of measure for measure unfolds here. The Israelites will take captive the very nations that once held them in exile [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Furthermore, they will rule firmly over their former oppressors, the exact people who previously squeezed them for taxes and subjected them to crushing labor [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].
Commentators debate exactly when this prophecy reaches its fulfillment. One perspective argues that the entire promise relates exclusively to the Second Temple period and the Babylonians. By this view, the Babylonians who destroyed Jerusalem and enslaved Israel faced a precise punishment by becoming slaves under Israelite rule [אברבנאל]. However, others point out that these grand promises did not fully materialize during the return from Babylon. Instead of bringing the Israelites back and serving them, the surrounding nations besieged and harassed them. Therefore, this viewpoint suggests the prophecy is split or delayed. While it began during the Babylonian exile, the complete submission and servitude of the nations will only occur in the days of the Messiah [רד״ק המובא באברבנאל].
Building on this delay, it is explained that the full potential of the redemption was originally meant to happen during the departure from Babylon. Because the people of Israel did not merit this outcome through their actions, the fulfillment was pushed to the future redemption. At that future time, Israel will no longer accept new converts, and the nations that arrive will serve strictly in the capacity of slaves [מלבי״ם].