When seventy years is expired, which is the term of their captive state.
I shall have gathered; moved the hearts of my people to come together upon Cyrus’s proclamation, and from all parts of that vast kingdom, to prepare for a return to the country most of them never saw: it was God who moved Cyrus to give them leave; it was as much God’s work to stir up the people to return.
The house of Israel; the generality of them, those that were Israelites indeed.
From the people; several nations subjects to the king of Babylon.
Scattered, by the Babylonish king at first, and afterward by incident, necessity, or their own choice.
Shall be sanctified; have vindicated my name, which by them was blasphemed.
In the sight of the heathen: I was dishonoured by the Jews in the sight of the heathen, and I will be honoured by the Jews in their sight, they shall be witnesses of my vindication.
Dwell; settle in peace, and for continuance.
In their land; in a land that is theirs,
their own, as it is often called.
That I have given; their title is of me by deed of gift, not of late, but to one that was long since my servant; to Jacob, father to these returning captives. The Hebrew repeats the preposition,
to my servant, to Jacob, with an emphasis, to mind them of God’s faithfulness.