Komentarz do Izajasza 19:24

Israel shall be a third to Egypt and to Assyria for a blessing, since there was no prominent nation in the world at that time like Egypt and like Assyria, and the Jews were humble in the days of Ahaz and in the days of Hoshea the son of Elah. And the prophet states that, through the miracle that will be performed for Hezekiah, Israel’s name will be greatly magnified, and they will be as prominent as one of these kingdoms in regards to blessing and greatness.

שלשיה The third. Most of the commentators compare it with ושלשים and chiefs²⁹Literally, according to I. E., officers of the third rank. Comp. I. E. on Exod. 14:7. (Ex. 14:7); but they must presume the existence of the second degree before they speak of the third.³⁰If שלישיה meant chief, it would signify, according to I. E., an officer of a lower rank that had above him the משנה, the officer of the second rank, that is, the officer next to the king. I. E. hesitates to give this attribute to the Israelites, as if the Assyrians and Egyptians were superior to them, and explains therefore שלישיה a third in the alliance with Egypt and Assyria. More naturally it is derived from שלשה three, and explained by the third; for there will be in Assyria people that will know the Lord, and many more so in Egypt; and Israel will be a blessing in the midst of the land, for through him Egypt and part of Assyria will know the Lord.³¹Comp. next verse.