ישעיהו, פרק נ״ו, פסוק ח׳

The process of redemption and the return from exile is not a single, final event but an expanding reality. When God brings the dispersed Israelites back to their land, the ingathering does not stop with the initial returnees. According to [אבן עזרא], the first phase of this return involves those arriving from historical exiles, such as Babylon, Elam, and Assyria. However, God promises to bring even more groups to stand beside and join the nation that has already been gathered [שד״ל, אבן עזרא].

The identity of these additional groups offers different layers of meaning. The primary approach among commentators is that this promise refers to people from other nations who will convert and attach themselves to the congregation of Israel. Alternatively, this gathering may represent an ongoing, internal process for the Israelites themselves. In this view, [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ] suggest that over time, more lost and dispersed members of the nation will be discovered. God will continuously collect these remaining exiles and add them to the community that has already returned.

A completely different perspective is offered by [רד״ק] in the name of his father, who interprets this addition not as a peaceful joining, but as a hostile assembly. According to this approach, after God gathers the Israelites, He will bring other nations against them to wage war. Based on the surrounding prophecy, this points to the future conflict involving Gog and Magog.