ישעיהו, פרק נ״ד, פסוק ג׳

A prophetic vision promises unprecedented growth for the returning exiles of Israel. The original borders of their land will simply be too small to hold the masses of returning people. The promise of bursting forth in opposite directions represents an expansion to every point of the compass, reaching north, south, east, and west [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, צאינה וראינה]. This movement is not merely about physical growth and multiplying numbers [מלבי״ם, אבן עזרא]. It also signifies a profound inner strength and courage [רש״י, מצודת ציון], allowing the people to overpower the surrounding nations [מצודת דוד].

A deeper spiritual view connects this outward expansion to the service at the ancient altar [אדרת אליהו]. Other nations historically brought only burnt offerings, which were prepared on the northern side of the altar, representing the left. The Israelites, however, also brought peace offerings, which could be prepared on the southern side, representing the right. By combining both the north and the south, the people achieve a spiritual completeness that earns them the merit to expand and inherit the lands of others.

Because the original land will not be enough for the surging population, the new generations will take over the lands and cities of other peoples [מלבי״ם], specifically neighboring areas once held by Edom, Ammon, Moab, and Aram [שד״ל]. This practical takeover explains exactly how the massive expansion will occur [אבן עזרא]. Eventually, even these newly acquired foreign cities will not be enough to hold the growing numbers. As a result, the people will breathe life back into places that were previously ruined and abandoned [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. The population will multiply to such an extent that they will rebuild and settle these desolate cities, whether they are located within the original borders or in surrounding lands [רד״ק, שד״ל, מצודת דוד].