1. The generation that was in the desert for forty years found favor in the eyes of Hashem. (Rashi)

Hashem manifested this love by guiding them in the desert, and providing them with food without their having to toil for it. (Radak)

2.* In Nevi'im, desert is synonymous with exile. The verse is saying that the Jews will ultimately have an easier time in exile, and will not be oppressed. (Malbim)

3. The Jews will get a reprieve in exile, in compensation for what they suffered for the sake of the honor of Hashem. They therefore will find favor in the eyes of Hashem. (Malbim, the end of verse 2)

1. This is a reference to the children of Israel who were saved from the sword of Pharaoh, who was bent on annihilating them. (Metzudat David)

2.* This is a reference to the Jews in exile, who will survive the sword of persecution. (Malbim)

1. As a result of Hashem's love of the generation of the desert, He escorted them to a place of peace and tranquility, the land of Israel. (Metzudat David)

2.* Hashem will come out to their place of exile, to ensure that his people will have peace. (Malbim)

1. Already in the long-distant past, Hashem communicated with me, i.e. the prophets. (Metzudat David)

2. This verse is a conversation between the Jews and Hashem. The Jews who are in exile turn to Hashem and note that although Hashem did have a relationship with them, it was only in the past. All they can feel in exile is hester panim, a hiding of His face. (Radak)

3.* Hashem will appear to the Jews in exile from afar, with hidden miracles. Yet the Jews will realize that His Divine Providence continues, and that He is the one who lessens their burdens in exile. (Malbim)

1. Hashem's love to His people is everlasting, and therefore He will continue to do good for them. (Metzudat David)

2. Hashem responds to the Jews that His love for them is constant. He appeared to them on Mount Sinai and gave the Torah to establish this bond of everlasting love. The situation of exile is only temporary. (Radak)

3.* The everlasting love between Hashem and His nation will be awakened when the Jews will be in exile. As a result, Hashem will redeem the Jews from their exile with kindness. (Malbim)

See Appendix for worksheet on verse 2.

1. The first and second Temples were built and destroyed. The third will be built by Hashem Himself and will remain forever. (Metzudat David)

2. The Jewish people, dispersed in exile, resemble a broken structure, its stones scattered everywhere. In the future the Jews will be gathered together as one strong structure, and never again will they be dispersed. (Radak)

1. You will decorate your drums with beautiful ornaments. You will dance and rejoice over the abundant goodness coming from Hashem. (Metzudat David)

1. Although the Shomron (Samaria) is now desolate, in the future it will be planted with vineyards. (Metzudat David)

2.* The Shomron had become a place where the kutim (who were brought there by Sancheriv - see Melachim II 17:24) planted vineyards. Now the Jews will once again be able to plant vineyards there. (Malbim)

1. The planters will plant the vines and redeem their fruits in the fourth year in Jerusalem. There are two elements of good news in this promise: a) the owners themselves will be in possession of these first fruits, and not the enemies; b) there will be so much fruit that it will difficult to bring all of it to Jerusalem, and so it will be necessary, instead, to redeem them with coins (see Vayikra 19:23-25). (Metzudat David)

2.* The Jews will be able to plant vineyards in place of the Shomronim (Samaritans) who planted vineyards but, unlike the Jews, did not bring the fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem, to be eaten there. (Malbim)

1. A day will come when the watchers will call in a loud voice that the redemption has come. It will be a call to the people to go up to Jerusalem to thank Hashem for all His goodness. (Metzudat David, Radak)

2.* There will come a day when the guardians of the fruit will call on everyone to take their bikkurim - the first fruits - to Jerusalem. (Mahari Kra)

1. Hashem will see how to educate the Jews, just as a father makes sure to correct the behavior of his child. (Metzudat David)

2. Hashem will have mercy on the Jewish people like a father would, and the Jews will honor Hashem like they would a father. (Malbim)

1. They should say that the Jewish people, who had been scattered among the nations, have been gathered together, and that Hashem is guarding them, like a shepherd guards his sheep. (Metzudat David)

2. The nations should realize that it was not their power that exiled the Jews, but Hashem. They were scattered by Hashem and were also gathered by Him. (Radak)

1. The older generation will join the younger one in rejoicing and dancing. (Metzudat David)

2.* Both young and old will rejoice, unlike when the Second Temple was built, when the old people cried recalling the glory of the First Temple. (Malbim)

1. Rachel Imeinu is crying about her children, the children of Israel who have been exiled. (Metzudat David)

2.* Rachel Imeinu is crying over her own children, Binyamin and Yosef, who were sent into exile. (Malbim)

1. She refuses to be consoled, since all her children are in exile. (Metzudat David)

2.* She refuses to be consoled since the children of Yosef will not return to the land of Israel during the Second Temple period. (Malbim)

1. As a reward for Rachel having given over the agreed signs to her sister Leah, the Jews will be returned to their land. (Metzudat David)

2. As a reward for having maintained faith in Hashem throughout the years of exile, and having observed the mitzvot, they will be returned to their homeland. (Metzudat David)

3.* In reward for her prayers, the children of Rachel Imeinu will return: the tribe of Binyamin will return from the Babylonian exile. (Malbim)

1. Hashem is talking about what the ten tribes (called Efrayim) are feeling. They are shaking their heads as if in pain, and noting that Hashem gave them these painful experiences in order to awaken them, and cause them to change their behavior. They note that they have heard the message, like a calf who finally accepts the yoke. (Metzudat David)

1. The Jews ask that Hashem awaken in their hearts the desire to return to Him, and then they will indeed do so. Since Hashem is our G-d, it is therefore proper to return to Him. (Metzudat David)

See Appendix for worksheet on verse 17.

1. After the process of teshuvah, the Jew regrets having done all these sins. (Metzudat David)

1. Because of the Torah that is in the midst of the Jewish people, they are worthy of being remembered, and worthy of being shown mercy. (Rashi)

2. When Hashem speaks about the Jews, He continues to talk, reflecting His intense love for them. (Metzudat David)