Foreigners and Eunuchs in Yeshayahu 56/2

Foreigners and Eunuchs in Yeshayahu 56

Exegetical Approaches

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Era of Nechemiah

The prophecy is aimed at the people living in Israel in the time of Nechemiah, and constitutes a call for acceptance of the foreign converts living among them.

Sources:Biur, modern scholars

"כִּי קְרוֹבָה יְשׁוּעָתִי לָבוֹא" – The Biur maintains that the prophet refers to salvation from "the enemies of Yehuda and Binyamin", such as Sanbalat and Toviah, who attempted to prevent the nation from rebuilding the city's walls.

"שִׁמְרוּ מִשְׁפָּט וַעֲשׂוּ צְדָקָה " – The prophet exhorts the people to do justice as a precondition for Hashem's assistance.  This was a big issue in the time of Nechemiah, as evidenced by the cries of the oppressed in Nechemiah 5.

Emphasis on Shabbat

בני נכר וסריסים

Attitude towards converts in Prophetic literature

End of Babylonian Exile

The prophet's words are addressed to the nation in Babylonia, on the eve of their return to Israel.  The prophet encourages those foreigners and eunuchs who fear a worsening of their status with the move back to Israel.

Current Exile

Yeshayahu's words relate to the current exile and the redemption of Messianic times. The prophet encourages all to hasten the redemption through good deeds, promising even those outsiders who feel that all is for naught, that they will share in the rewards.