Rashi on TanakhIsaiah 49

called me from the womb When I was still in the womb, the thought came before Him that my name should be Isaiah (יְשַׁעְיָה) to prophesy salvations (יְשׁוּעוֹת) and consolations.

And He made my mouth like a sharp sword to castigate the wicked and to prophesy retribution upon them.

He concealed me in the shadow of His hand that they be unable to harm me.

into a polished arrow Heb. בָּרוּר, [lit. clear,] polished, kler in O.F.

in His quiver A receptacle used as a case for arrows, called koujjbre in O.F.

And I said, I toiled in vain when I saw that I admonish them and they do not obey.

Yet surely my right is with the Lord He knows that it is not from me but from them [i.e., He knows that their failure to obey is not due to my laziness, but to their obstinacy].

shall be gathered to Him To Him they shall return in repentance.

And He said, “It is too light for you to be, etc.” In My eyes, it is too small a gift that you should have this alone, that you be My servant to establish Jacob and to bring back to Me the besieged of Israel, and behold I add more to you, “And I will make you a light for the nations,” to prophesy concerning the downfall of Babylon, which will be a joy for the whole world.

and the besieged of Israel Heb. וּנְצוּרֵי. Comp. (Prov. 7:10) “With a heart surrounded by evil thoughts (וּנְצֻרַת),” that their heart is surrounded by the inclination of sinful thoughts, like a city besieged by a bulwark of those who besiege it.

about him who is despised of men Heb. לִבְזֹה נֶפֶשׁ, a despised soul, about Israel, who are despised.

about him whom the nation abhors About him whom the nation abhors, and he is a slave to those who rule over him.

Kings shall see him and rise.

Who is faithful to keep His promise that He promised Abraham concerning the kingdoms, as the matter is stated (Gen. 15:17): “And behold a smoking stove, etc.”

the Holy One of Israel is He, and He chose you.

In a time of favor In the time of prayer, when you seek My favor and appease Me.

and on a day of salvation When you need salvation.

and I will watch you Heb. וְאֶצָּרְךָ, and I will watch you.

for a people of a covenant to be a people of a covenant to Me.

to establish a land The land of Israel, chosen by Me from all lands.

To say to the prisoners, “Go out!” At the time I will say to the prisoners of the exile, “Go out!”

rivers Jonathan renders: נַגְדִּין, streams of water.

heat Heb. שָׁרָב, heat.

And I will make all My mountains into a road In contrast to what he said concerning the days of its ruin (supra 33:8) “The wayfarer has stopped,” now the wayfarers shall return and go therein.

and My highways shall be raised In contrast to what he said (ibid.): “Highways have become desolate,” deteriorated with no one to repair them, now My highways shall be raised, they shall repair the deterioration of the roads and raise them as is customary, with smooth pebbles and earth.

from the land of Sinim [Jonathan renders:] from the southland.

for the Lord has consoled His people.

And Zion said She thought that I had forgotten her.

Shall a woman forget her sucking child Heb. עוּלָהּ, similar to עוֹלֵל.

from having mercy on the child of her womb Heb. מֵרֶחֶם בֶּן-בִּטְנָהּ.

These too shall forget Even if these forget, I will not forget you.

Behold on [My] hands Heb. עַל-כַּפַּיִם [lit. on hands]. I see you as though you are engraved on My hands, to see you and always to remember you. Another explanation is: עַל-כַּפַּיִם “from upon the clouds of glory.” Comp. (Job 36:32) “On the clouds (כַּפַּיִם) He covered the rain.”

Your sons have hastened to return.

you shall be crowded by the inhabitants You shall be crowded by the multitude of inhabitants that shall come into your midst. The place shall be too narrow for them to build houses for themselves.

Your children of whom you were bereaved [lit. the children of your bereavements.] The children of whom you were bereaved.

move over for me [lit. approach for me.] Draw closer to another side for me, and I will dwell.

and solitary solede in O.F.

rejected Rejected by everyone. All say about me, “Turn away from her.”

My hand...My standard A signal to bring the exiles.

a standard Perka in O.F., [perche in modern French,] a pole. Comp. (supra 30:17) “And like a flagpole (וְכַנֵּס) on a hill.” It is a signal for gathering, and they place a cloth [a flag] on the end of it.

in their armpits Ajjsela [aisela] in O.F., [aisselle in modern French]. Comp. Ezra (Neh. 5:13): “Also I shook out my armpit (חָצְנִי).”

Shall prey be taken from a mighty warrior You think that it is impossible to take from Esau those captured from Jacob the righteous one.

and with your contender Heb. יְרִיבֵךְ. And with your contender I will contend.

And those who taunt you I will feed their flesh to the beasts of the field. The word מוֹנַיִךְ is an expression akin to (Lev. 25:14) “You shall not taunt (אַל תּוֹנוּ).” This denotes taunting with words, those who anger you with their revilings.

and as with sweet wine Heb. וְכֶעָסִיס. The sweetness of wine.

they shall become drunk [from] their blood So shall those accustomed to drink blood become drunk from their blood. Now who are they? These are the fowl of the heavens. So did Jonathan render this.