worldwide exile of Israel; it refers to the vast regions of the Assyrian Empire. No one will be left out in the lands of their exile from this saving activity of Yahweh. In his judgment Yahweh scattered his people (9:16; 13:24; 18:17), but in his salvation he promises that he will gather them (16:15; 23:3; 29:14; 32:37; see also Isa 43:5–6). The remnant that Yahweh gathers includes the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor (see Isa 40:11, 29–31). This group represents the most