This exposition of anointing is confirmed from these passages;--1 Kings, xix ch.
"Anoint a prophet in thy stead," where the sense is, "constitute a prophet in thy place." Again, "touch not mine anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm," i.e.

"Touch not my chosen servants"; and so in several other places.

The meaning, therefore, of Isaiah is, that God had appointed, and constituted him a prophet to announce these consolations to the Israelites, who were to be in captivity, in order that they should not dispair of liberation; and that they should have hope, when they read those comfortable words spoken by the mouth of Isaiah, at the command of God.

For he calls the subjects of his message "the broken in heart," "the captives," " the mourners of Zion," &c.

all which terms are applicable only to the Israelites.