ישעיהו, פרק י״ד, פסוק ל׳

A dramatic reversal of fortunes stands at the center of this prophecy, presenting a mirror image between the future peace of the oppressed and the total ruin of their oppressors. On one side, the Israelites receive a promise of calm and material abundance, while on the other, the Philistines are doomed to complete destruction through famine and the sword. The revival of the Israelites is compared to a flock of sheep grazing peacefully in open spaces. After a history of sitting locked away and starving in fortified cities out of fear of their enemies, they will now go out freely to any place and be fully satisfied. They will eat without any fear and lie down in absolute rest [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, שד״ל, מצודת ציון].

When identifying the specific group of impoverished people who will experience this salvation, commentators offer a few perspectives. One approach suggests this refers to the leaders and important figures of the Israelites who lost their wealth and became poor due to enemy persecution. In the future, these fallen leaders will enjoy rich and good pastures [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. Another perspective views their poverty as an extreme condition, explaining that the Israelites received the largest possible share of suffering, becoming more impoverished than any other nation [רד״ק, שד״ל, אבן עזרא]. A third approach focuses on the social hierarchy, noting a distinction between the regular poor and the entirely destitute who have absolutely nothing. The promise guarantees that even the most destitute, who represent the entire nation, will be granted lasting security and a steady livelihood [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In sharp contrast to the tranquility of the Israelites, God decrees a double destruction upon the Philistines, targeting both their root and their remnant. This is compared to a plant dying from a lack of nourishment, where even the root buried deep in the ground is completely cut off [שד״ל]. Commentators interpret this root and remnant in several ways. Generationally, the root symbolizes the fathers, while the remnant represents the sons [אבן עזרא]. From a social and military standpoint, the root represents the core foundation of the nation [מצודת דוד], or the heroes and great warriors who will starve to death while besieged inside their own fortified cities [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].

Anyone who manages to survive this severe famine will ultimately be killed by the sword. Although God decrees this destruction, the one who actually strikes down the surviving remnant is the King of Judah, Hezekiah. His military campaign is not an independent action, but rather a direct mission to execute God's divine will [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].