John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. For thus saith the Lord God , etc.] This is a reason why there were none to raise her up: since the city that went out [by] a thousand shall leave an hundred ; that is, the city in which there were a thousand constantly going in and out; or which sent, caused to go out, or furnished, a thousand men upon occasion for war, had only a hundred persons left in it; or there remained but a hundred of the thousand they sent out, the rest being destroyed by one means or another: and that which went forth [by] an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel ; where there were a hundred persons going out and coming in continually; or which sent out a hundred men to the army to fight their battles had now only ten remaining; to such a small number were they reduced all over the land, so that there were none, or not a number sufficient to raise up Israel to its former state and glory.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well a words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but the often expect deliverance from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse to come to Christ and to see mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire of Divine wrat breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but wil find it cannot protect.
Original Hebrew כי3588 כה3541 אמר559 אדני136 יהוה3069 העיר5892 היצאת3318 אלף505 תשׁאיר7604 מאה3967 והיוצאת3318 מאה3967 תשׁאיר7604 עשׂרה6235 לבית1004 ישׂראל׃3478
