John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Ho, ho , etc.] This word expresses a call and proclamation; and is doubled, as Kimchi observes, to confirm it; and so the Targum paraphrases it, “proclaim to the dispersed:” [come forth], and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord ; that is, from Babylon, which lay north of Judea; (see Jeremiah 1:13,14) ( Jeremiah 3:12 6:22 16:15) where many of the Jews continued, and did not return with the rest when they came up out of the captivity; and are therefore called to come forth from thence in haste; and figuratively designs, either the people of God that are among the men of the world, and are called to separate from them, and have no fellowship with there; or such as will be in mystical Babylon, a little before its destruction; and will be called out of it, lest they partake of her plagues; (see Revelation 18:4): for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord ; meaning either the dispersion of the Jews in Babylon, and other countries; or of the people of God, being scattered up and down in the jurisdiction of Rome Papal; or the sense is, that it was his will and purpose, when they were come out of Babylon, that they should be spread in the several parts of the world, to support the cause of Christ, and strengthen his interest.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-9 - If God will build Jerusalem for the people and their comfort, they mus inhabit it for him and his glory. The promises and privileges with which God's people are blessed, should engage us to join them, whateve it costs us. When Zion is enlarged to make room for all God's Israel it is the greatest madness for any of them to stay in Babylon. The captivity of a sinful state is by no means to be continued in, though man may be easy in worldly matters. Escape for thy life, look no behind thee. Christ has proclaimed that deliverance to the captives which he has himself wrought out, and it concerns every one to resolv that sin shall not have dominion over him. Those who would be foun among God's children, must save themselves from this world, see A 2:40. What Christ will do for his church, shall be an evident proof of God's care and affection. He that touches you, touches the apple of his eye. This is a strong expression of God's love to his church. He take what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of the eye to which the least touch is a great offence. Christ is sent to be the Protector of his church.
Original Hebrew הוי1945 הוי1945 ונסו5127 מארץ776 צפון6828 נאם5002 יהוה3068 כי3588 כארבע702 רוחות7307 השׁמים8064 פרשׂתי6566 אתכם853 נאם5002 יהוה׃3068
