Chapter 49 – FAMILIA MUNDIAL
1 [1-7] The second of the four «Servant-of-the-Lord» oracles.
2 [1] Gave me my name: designated me for a special office (cf ⇒ Jeremiah 1:5), or perhaps, made me renowned (cf ⇒ Psalm 45:18).
3 [2] The Servant was made ready and fit for the preaching of God’s word.
4 [3] Israel: the Servant is identified with the people of Israel as their ideal representative; however, since ⇒ Isaiah 49:5, 6 seem to distinguish the Servant from Israel, some regard the word Israel here as a gloss.
5 [6] The Servant’s vocation will be not only the restoration of Israel but the conversion of the world; cf ⇒ Luke 2:32.
6 [12] Syene: now called Aswan, at the first cataract of the Nile in southern Egypt.
7 [16] Upon the palms . . . name: for continual remembrance; cf ⇒ Exodus 13:9, ⇒ 16; ⇒ Deut 6:6-9.