The Hebrew word translated as mercy uses the image of a mother's care for her child to show God's merciful love for his people (see also Isaiah 49:15; 66:13).
God chose Israel as his special people when he called Abraham (see Isaiah 41:8; Genesis 12:1–3). Although their status did not change during the exile in Babylon, they faced God's anger like any other wicked nation because they rejected him.
settle them in their own land: This promise began to be fulfilled in 538 BC (see Ezra 1:1–11).
People from many nations would join Israel as the people of God (see also Isaiah 2:3–4; 11:11–12; 19:18–25; 60:1–14).