ישעיהו, פרק ס״ב, פסוק ד׳

A powerful message of comfort promises a dramatic reversal of fortune for both Jerusalem and the broader Land of Israel. The prophecy paints a picture of a nation moving from total abandonment to a renewed, deeply personal connection with God. Commentators note that this promise is divided into two distinct areas: the city of Jerusalem on one hand, and the rest of the Land of Israel on the other [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].

Jerusalem's state of abandonment reflects not only a city emptied of its people [ביאור שטיינזלץ], but more importantly, a place left without God's active care and divine presence [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. In the future, this reality will completely flip. The city will be known by a new title expressing that God's desire and glory have returned to dwell within her [מלבי״ם, רד״ק]. Interestingly, this new title is not merely a symbol. It was the actual name of King Hezekiah's wife. The prophet deliberately used the name of the well-known queen of his time to help the people vividly understand the high, beloved status the city would one day hold [שד״ל].

Looking at the broader Land of Israel, the promise ensures it will no longer be left desolate and empty of its inhabitants [מלבי״ם]. There is a profound reason behind this historical emptiness. Because of the land's immense holiness, any sins committed there carry a heavy penalty. Therefore, the land was kept desolate during the exile to prevent the people from sinning within it and causing irreparable damage. However, in the future, when the urge to do evil is finally removed, the land will safely be able to be resettled [אהבת יהונתן].

The future transformation of the land is described using a powerful image of marriage. A settled, full, and fruitful land with a dedicated owner [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ] is compared to a married woman whose husband actively cares for her. This stands in sharp contrast to a ruined, empty land, which is compared to a lonely widow left without a husband or children [רד״ק, שד״ל, צאינה וראינה].