ישעיהו, פרק י״ט, פסוק כ״ה

In a time of future renewal, three great empires that were once bitter enemies will live together in peace and share in a divine blessing [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This profound vision of harmony raises a fundamental question about exactly who receives this divine favor.

The primary approach among commentators is that the blessing applies individually to all three nations, with each earning a special title following a profound spiritual transformation [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Egypt will be recognized as God's people because its citizens will return to believe in Him, even building a public altar in His honor [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Assyria will also be blessed, as its people will realize that their historical trials were not the result of blind chance, but the direct work of God's hands. This realization will lead them to acknowledge Him as the one and only God [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Israel, meanwhile, is identified as God's eternal inheritance, having maintained faith in Him since ancient times [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Even though Egypt and Assyria will draw close to God through a spiritual awakening, their new standing is temporary and tied to specific circumstances. In contrast, Israel's relationship with God is eternal and fundamental [אבן עזרא]. This universal blessing is further enriched by the idea that Egypt and Assyria will come to recognize Israel's unique greatness. Having witnessed the miracles of the Exodus and the dramatic fall of the Assyrian empire, these former enemies will themselves offer blessings to Israel [מלבי״ם].

Opposing this universal perspective is a tradition maintaining that the entire blessing is directed exclusively at the Israelites [רש״י, שד״ל]. In this view, the blessing associated with Egypt actually refers to the Israelites, whom God chose as His own people while they were still enslaved by the Egyptians. Likewise, the blessing describing the work of God's hands refers to the Israelites who witnessed His miracles during the defeat of the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Inspired by these mighty acts, the Israelites repented and were spiritually reborn, as if God had created them anew [רש״י].

Historically, this vision of blessing can be traced to the era of the Second Temple. During that time, although the Israelites lacked the military might of Egypt or Assyria, they enjoyed far greater success and relative peace within their borders compared to other lands. This era of divine favor continued until the people began to abandon the Torah in favor of foreign customs, which ultimately led to their decline and defeat in battle [שד״ל].