What is the meaning of "k'Al Gemulos"?
Rashi: Like the law of repaying what the enemies bestowed.
Radak: Just like He wore Kin'ah for repaying Pharaoh, Sancheriv and other afflicters of Yisrael, so He will wear Kin'ah when He removes them from their Galus.
Malbim: Refer to 59:18:2:3
Why does it say "k'Al Yeshalem"?
Rashi: Like the law of what should be returned to them, He will pay.
Radak: Just like He paid those enemies, so He will pay "Chemav l'Tzarav."
Malbim: Gemul is unlike Tashlum. Tashlum is based on the act; he pays for the work. It does not depend on love, hatred, satisfaction or anger between the payer and the recipient. Gemul depends on the payer's excitement over the act due to such feelings.
What Gemul will be paid to His enemies?
Radak: The evil that they did to Yisrael.
Malbim: Refer to 59:18:4:1.
Why does it mention Tzarav and Oyvav?
Malbim: A Tzar pains in action. An Oyev seeks his evil and bears hatred in his heart. A Tzar need not be an Oyev, e.g. if he harms him for his own benefit, not due to hatred. An Oyev need not be a Tzar, e.g. he only bears hatred in his heart, but did not harm him. Regarding Hashem, those who sin against him and do great Aveiros for their benefit, they are Tzorerav. Those who deny His Elokus and lower the honor of His name, they are Oyvav, even though they did not sin in action. Paying Tzarav corresponds to Nekamah (17). Kinah does not apply, for they did not intend to anger Him. Gemul does not apply, for they did not act amidst hatred. He pays based on their deeds. Kinah applies to Oyvav. Tashlum does not apply, for they did not do a deed. However, they profaned and disgraced the honor of His name. He will pay to them Gemul based on His hatred and anger.
Why does it say "l'Iyim Gemul Ysshalem"?
Radak: The matter is repeated to strengthen it. Iyim are of Goyim; it mentions islands, for Yisrael are scattered in Galus on all islands, and all did evil to Yisrael, and Hashem will pay to all of them.
Malbim: The Nochrim close [to Eretz Yisrael]; they were primarily Tzarav, who destroyed His city and Kadosh Bayis. Hashem will pay also distant islands who did not do an act, just they bore hatred and denied Him.
