זכריה, פרק ח׳, פסוק ג׳

The promise of redemption carries a vision of profound spiritual and moral transformation, where God's return to Jerusalem is intimately tied to the behavior of its inhabitants. God announces His intention to return to Zion and dwell among the people, restoring the prophecy and holiness of ancient times. However, the primary approach among commentators is that this declaration is not an absolute guarantee, but rather conditional upon the actions of the people [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. The initial gathering of the exiles serves merely as a preparation for the complete redemption. The people, who feared that the Divine Presence would not return to rest among them during the era of the Second Temple, receive a clear message: the opportunity for God to dwell among them exists, but it depends entirely on their choice to improve their ways and listen to His voice [מלבי״ם].

The central condition for God's presence to return is that Jerusalem must become a city defined by truth. This reflects the moral perfection of its residents, requiring them to establish fair justice between one another, to speak honestly, and to completely remove lies and deceit from their society [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. While this moral demand to avoid injustice applies to the entire land of Israel, Jerusalem is specifically highlighted because it serves as the capital and the head of the kingdom [רד״ק].

As a direct result of this societal repair, the site of the Temple will be recognized as a holy mountain. This holiness stems from the actual descent of God's glory and the resting of His presence in that place [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Reaching this elevated state also depends on the priests who serve on the mountain maintaining strict holiness in their duties [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, this vision carries an additional promise: once this true holiness is achieved, the mountain will never again be defiled by foreigners [רד״ק].