“I will signal for them.
I will gather them in.
I have redeemed them.
They shall be
As numerous
As they were before.
Though I scattered them
Among the nations,
Yet in far countries
They shall remember me.
They shall rear their children.
They shall return.
I will bring them home
From the land of Egypt.
I will gather them
From Assyria.
I will bring them
To the land of Gilead.
I will bring them
To Lebanon,
Until there is no room for them.
They shall pass through
The sea of distress.
The waves of the sea
Shall be struck down.
The depths of the Nile
Shall dry up.
The pride of Assyria
Shall be laid low.
The scepter of Egypt
Shall depart.”
Yahweh was going to give a signal for the Israelites to gather, since he had redeemed them from their captivity. They would be as numerous as they were before. Even though they were scattered among many distant countries, they raised their children there before they returned. Yahweh was going to bring them home from Egypt and Assyria. He was going to put them in Gilead, the east side of the Jordan River, or in Lebanon, on the seacoast, until there was no more room for them there. They would have no problems, since Yahweh was going to lead them through distressed seas, mild waves, and the deep dry Nile River. The pride of Assyria would be brought down, while the control of the Egyptian rule or scepter would leave.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 