ישעיהו, פרק מ״ט, פסוק ט׳

A dramatic call of redemption echoes as a declaration of freedom, inviting those suffering in exile to step into the light and return to their homeland in safety and abundance. Spoken even before the redemption took place, this prophecy envisions the journey back to Israel as a miraculous event where God provides for every need. The initial cry for the prisoners to go free is directed at the people of Israel trapped in exile. The primary approach among commentators is that these prisoners are the powerless exiles living under foreign rule, with the exile itself compared to a dark prison [רד״ק, רש״י, אבן עזרא]. Following this, the call for those in darkness to show themselves is aimed at individuals who have been hiding in the shadows out of fear of their enemies. They are urged to step out of their hiding places into the daylight without any fear [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A different approach divides the people into two distinct groups. According to one view, the prisoners represent the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who are directly enslaved under foreign powers, while those in darkness are the Ten Lost Tribes. Because the Ten Lost Tribes are not enslaved but merely hidden, they are specifically called upon to reveal themselves [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, the distinction is drawn between the living and the dead. The summons to the prisoners addresses the living exiles, whereas the call to those in darkness is directed at the dead lying in the dark of the grave, who are destined to rise during the resurrection and be seen anew in the world [אברבנאל].

As the prophecy continues, it shifts to the imagery of a flock grazing peacefully. Rather than remaining locked away, the returning people will march openly and publicly [שד״ל], traveling the roads safely without the threat of highway robbers [מלבי״ם]. The grazing locations along the way are understood by most commentators as high places, mountains, or ridges [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל], though some identify them as streams of water or open pastures near a river [רש״י, שד״ל]. The core message of this imagery is the clear presence of Divine providence throughout the journey. Typically, well-trodden roads and mountain peaks are barren areas lacking food for animals or provisions for travelers. Yet, the promise remains that in these exact locations, the returning exiles will find everything they need in great abundance. God will lead them in a miraculous way, ensuring they lack absolutely nothing on their journey home [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].