The promise of the future redemption brings a dramatic reversal for the people of Israel, transforming them from a state of weakness and low population into a massive, globally significant entity. The primary approach among commentators is that the promise of immense growth from a tiny origin does not refer to an isolated individual. Instead, it speaks of a small family or tribe that will multiply into an enormous extended family united under a single leadership [שד״ל, רד״ק, אבן עזרא], experiencing massive numerical growth [מצודת ציון]. A more nuanced view distinguishes between two types of transformation: a small population will swell into the thousands, while a people who are currently weak in strength and quality will transform into a powerful, mighty nation [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective connects this population explosion to the realm of souls, explaining that this multiplication is designed to complete and repair all the souls originating from the First Man, which is an absolute requirement for the redemption to unfold [אהבת יהונתן].
God guarantees this miracle by declaring His name, emphasizing that only the Creator possesses the power to execute such a wonder, making the promise absolutely certain [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The timeline for this redemption presents an apparent paradox between a fixed date and a hastened arrival, which commentators resolve in several ways. The classic approach offers a conditional timeline: if the people of Israel earn it through good deeds, God will bring the redemption early and swiftly. If they lack the necessary merit, the redemption will simply wait until its original, preordained date [רש״י, רד״ק, צאינה וראינה]. A second approach suggests that the redemption will indeed wait for its designated time, but the moment that time arrives, the actual process of salvation will happen with immense speed, completely unstoppable by any outside force [רד״ק, שד״ל, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. A third explanation draws a parallel to the Exodus from Egypt, where the sheer brutality of the slavery actually shortened the duration of the exile. Similarly, the intense suffering and hardships the people of Israel endure throughout history serve to accelerate the timeline and bring the final redemption closer [אהבת יהונתן].
In the future, this redemption will be accompanied by the revelation of an immense spiritual light that has been hidden away since the six days of creation. The Messiah, having taken on deep suffering during the exile to atone for the sins of Israel, will be granted unprecedented honor. While the nations of the world that oppressed Israel will be struck with terror, humiliated, and ultimately lost, the people of Israel will be the sole recipients of this shining divine light. As a final reward, God will elevate the Messiah and the righteous, bringing them under beautiful canopies of precious stones in the Garden of Eden, fully compensating them for all the pain and mockery they endured throughout the long exile [צאינה וראינה].