Rashi on the Prophets and Writings

For the sake of Zion I will do, and I will not be silent concerning what they did to her. I will not rest There will be no peace before Me until her righteousness comes out like brilliance.

shall pronounce Heb. יִקֳּבֶנּוּ, shall pronounce.

“inhabited” Heb. בְּעוּלָה, [lit. possessed,] inhabited.

As a young man lives with a virgin, etc. As a young man lives with a virgin, so shall your children live in you [after Jonathan].

On your walls, O Jerusalem Our Rabbis expounded it according to its apparent meaning as referring to the angels who remind the Lord concerning its destruction, to build it. What do they say? (Ps. 102:14) “You shall rise, You shall have mercy on Zion”; (ibid. 132:13) “For the Lord has chosen Zion.” As is found in the Tractate Menahoth (87a, Rashi ad loc.). Jonathan, [however,] renders “your walls,” the early forefathers, who protect us like a wall. I have appointed watchmen to inscribe a book of remembrances, that their merit be not forgotten from before Me. they shall never be silent not to mention their merit before Me. those who remind the Lord of the merit of the forefathers. be not silent Heb. אַל-דֳּמִי לָכֶם, [lit. let there be no silence to you,] be not silent.

shall eat it This refers back to “your grain.” shall drink it This refers back to “your wine.”

Pass, pass through the portals Said the prophet, “Pass and return in the portals; turn the heart of the people to the proper path” [after Jonathan]. pave, pave the highway Heb. סֹלּוּ. Pave the road, batec lokemin in O.F., beat down the road. סֹלּוּ is the same root as מְסִלָּה. clear it of stones Clear the highway of stones and cast the stumbling blocks to the sides. clear it of stones Heb. סַקְּלוּ, espedrec in O.F., to rid of stones. of stones of there being there a stone, and he is alluding to the evil inclination. It may also be interpreted as referring to the repairs of the road for the ingathering of the exiles. lift up a banner A staff, perche in French. That is a sign, that they gather to Me and bring Me those exiled beside them [i.e., those exiled in their land].

Behold his reward [that is prepared] to give to His servants is prepared with Him. and His wage [Lit. His deed.] The reward for the deed they did with Him, is before Him, prepared to give.