ישעיהו, פרק ס״ו, פסוק כ״א

The gathering of the exiles is not merely a physical journey back to the homeland, but a profound spiritual restoration of lost identities and forgotten roles. The primary approach among commentators is that this promise focuses on the returning Jewish exiles. Over centuries of dispersion, many Jews were deeply assimilated among foreign nations in distant lands, sold into slavery, or forced to abandon their faith and worship idols. Yet, despite this immense distance and loss of memory, no one will be left behind in the Messianic era [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, צאינה וראינה].

Among these returnees, God will actively seek out those who originally belonged to the families of the priesthood and the tribe of Levi. Even if their ancestral lineage was completely erased from human memory and they lived assuming they were ordinary Israelites, God will identify them. He will restore them to their sacred, original duties. The priests will resume their service in the Temple, and the Levites will return to their musical roles, singing and playing harps and lyres [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. This identification requires God's direct intervention because only He possesses the knowledge of these hidden bloodlines, reflecting the principle that concealed matters belong exclusively to Him [רש״י].

Expanding on this, another perspective suggests that the gathering includes not just the returning Jews, but also the Gentile nations who assist in bringing them back [רש״י, רד״ק]. A contrasting approach argues that new individuals are not being appointed to the priesthood, since it is impossible for anyone outside the tribe of Levi to become a priest. Instead, this interpretation suggests that God will take resources from the nations specifically to assist the existing Temple servants. Some explain that certain individuals from the nations will be assigned to support the priests by chopping wood and drawing water [רד ק בשם אביו]. Alternatively, others suggest that the actual modes of transportation used to bring the exiles home, such as horses, chariots, and wagons, will be dedicated as gifts for the Temple service. This acts much like a person who brings an offering and leaves the carrying vessel as an additional gift for the priest [שד״ל].