‘The Exile’, since it is written, Now, therefore, what do I here, says Hashem, seeing that My people is taken away for naught etc.;23 ‘the Chaldeans’, since it is written, Behold the land of the Chaldeans — this is the people that was not;24 ‘the Ishmaelites’, since it is written, The tents of the robbers25 prosper, and they that provoke G-d are secure since G-d brought them with His hand;26 ‘the Evil Inclination’, since it is written, [And I will gather her that is driven away] and her that I have afflicted.27
23)
Yeshayahu 42:5
24) Ibid.
23:13; i.e., it were better if they had never
existed.
25)
Identified with the Arabs (Ishmaelites) who dwell all their lives in tents.
26) Iyov
12:6 E.V., ‘in whatsoever G-d brings into their
hand’.
27) Micha.
4:6; by creating the Evil Inclination.