they said: that which could not have been said if Ezra and his thousands had been already there.
The remnant. For the history of this "remnant" see Jeremiah 1:44. Only. few poor serfs there (Jeremiah 52:15; Jeremiah 52:16).
left. Not carried away or returned (Jeremiah 52:15; Jeremiah 52:16).
Province. Judah. See Ezra 5:8.
broken down. Just as left by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:9; 2 Kings 25:10; Jeremiah 52:12-14. For the subsequent history see Jeremiah Chapter s 40-44.