Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 40/2

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Historical Backdrop of Yeshayahu 40

Exegetical Approaches

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Era of Yeshayahu

Yeshayhau was comforting the people of his own time.

Babylonian Exile

Yeshayahu's words are addressed to the nation who had been exiled to Babylonia.

Why speak about the return from Babylonia now? These sources offer several approaches to this question:
  • Ibn Ezra points out that the previous chapter1 closed with the prediction that Chizkiyahu's descendants and the palace treasures were to be exiled to Babylonia.
"כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ כִּי נִרְצָה עֲוֺנָהּ" – Ibn Ezra and Shadal explains that "צבא" refers to a set amount of time or work.  The prophet tells the nation that the seventy years of Babylonian exile which were foretold by Yirmeyahu2 have come to their end.  The people paid their due in punishment () and now it is time to return.

Present Exile

Yeshayahu's prophecy speaks of the future redemption.  He tells the people not to despair for Hashem will ultimately redeem the nation and return those in exile to Tzion.

Why speak about Messianic times now?