Should ye not hear. ? Supply the Ellipsis (App-6) better by "[Should ye not have obeyed?]" or, ["Are not these] the very words? "
by. by the hand of: "hand" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the agency.
the former prophets. See note on Zechariah 4:1.
the south. the Negeb. Compare Genesis 13:1.Deuteronomy 1:7, and see note on Psalms 126:4.
the plain. the lowland. Hebrew. shephelah. Compare Deuteronomy 1:7; Judges 1:9, &c.