to the covenant with Israel restored. The prophet applies to Israel here ideas most of which he has used previously. Israel has not been called a prince and ruler of nations, and this seems to be a transfer to Israel of titles given to David; see Pss 72:9–11, 89:24–27. But it was called Yahweh’s witnesses in 43:9–10. The character of Israel’s rule over the nations we have already seen: it consists in Israel’s position as mediator of faith in Yahweh (see COMMENT on Secs. 21 [45:14–25] and 27 [specif.