Why does it say "Mi Yalad Es Eleh"?
Malbim: The verse gives a metaphor. All of a woman's children died, and afterwards she was widowed, without a husband. Afterwards, children come to her from overseas, and say that they are her children. She asks three questions. (a) Who gave birth to these?! I am bereaved [of my children] and alone (a widow)! Also refer to 49:21:3:3, 49:21:4:3.
What is "Galmudah"?
Rashi: It is lonely.
Radak: It is alone.
What is "[Golah] v'Surah"?
Rashi: It is repelled from everyone. Everyone tells me to go away.
Radak: [It is alone] due to children who were exiled, like "k'Eleh Noveles Aleha" (1:30). Surah is an adjective, like "v'Surei ba'Aretz Yikasevu" (Yirmeyah 17:13).
Malbim: Since I was exiled from my place and transient, even if I could have given birth to them, who raised them?
Why does it say "[Ani Nish'arti Levadi Eleh] Eifo Hem"?
Radak #1: From where are they? Where did they come from?
Radak #2: Where were they?
Malbim: Even if I could have given birth to them, and they raised themselves, who brought them to my place? I was far from them; where did they come from 1 ? The Nimshal is, Yerushalayim was bereaved; its children were killed or taken captive. It sat alone. Therefore, it was astounded - who gave birth to these children?! It thought that all of them were killed or taken captive. Further, they were exiled for 2,000 years - who raised them, and they did not perish in Galus?!
If she does not know where they were, how does she know that she was far from them? Must we say that she lives on an island far from all other lands?! (PF)