in the Midrashim. But it is interesting to notice that verse 2 is specifically applied to

Messianic times in the Talmud (Sanh. 99 a), in answer to the question when the Messiah

should come.

On verse 4 the Midrash on Cant. i. 4, on the words 'we will be glad and rejoice in thee,'

has the following beautiful illustration. A Queen is introduced whose husband and sons

and sons-in- law go to a distant country. Tidings are brought to her: Thy sons are come

back. On which she says: Cause for gladness have I, my daughters- in- law will rejoice.

Next, tidings are brought her that her sons- in- law are coming, and she is glad that her

daughters will rejoice. Lastly, tidings are brought: The king, thy husband, comes. On

which she replies: This is indeed perfect joy, joy upon joy. So in the latter days would the

prophets come, and say to Jerusalem: 'Thy sons shall co me from far' (verse 4), and she

will say: What gladness is this to me! - 'and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side,' and

again she will say: What gladness is this to me! But when they shall say to her (Zech. ix.

9): 'Behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation,' then shall Zion

say: This indeed is perfect joy, as it is written (Zech. ix. 9), 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter

of Zion,' and again (Zech. ii. 10), 'Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion.' In that hour she

will say (Is. lxi. 10): 'I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God.'

Verse 7 is Messianically applied in the Talmud (Abod. Sar. 24 a ).

Verse 8 is Messianically applied in the Midrash on Ps. xlvii. 13.

In connection with verse 19 we read in Ya lkut (vol. i. p. 103 b ) that God said to Israel: In

this world you are engaged (or busied) with the light for the Sanctuary, but in the world

to come, for the merit of this light, I send you the King Messiah, Who is likened to a

light, according to Ps. cxxxii. 17 and Is. lx. 19, 'the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting

Verse 21 is thus alluded to in the Talmud (Sanh. 98 a): 'Rabbi Jochanan said, The Son of

David shall not come, until all be either just or all be unjust:' the former according to Is.

lx. 21, the latter according to Is. lix. 16.

Verse 22 is also Messianically applied in the Talmudic passage above cited.

Is. lxi. 1 has already been mentioned in our remarks on Is. xxxii. 14, 15.

On verse 5 there is a curious story related (Yalkut, vol. i. Par. 212, p. 64 a, lines 23-17

from the bottom) in which, in answer to a question, what was to become of the nations in

the days of the Messiah, the reply is given that every nation and kingdom that had

persecuted and mocked Israel would see, and be confounded, and have no share in life;

but that every nation and kingdom which had not so dealt with Israel would come and be

husbandmen and vinedressers to Israel in the days of the Messiah. A similar statement to

this is found in the Midrash on Eccl. ii. 7.