Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, [and] smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.
Ver. 2. Thou shalt burn with fire a third part,] i.e., With famine, pestilence, and other mischiefs, during the siege of Jerusalem. Pythagoras gave this precept among others, Unguium, criniumque praesegmina ne contemnito. But God findeth so little worth in wicked people that he regardeth them not, but casteth them as excrements to the dunghill, yea, to hell. Psa 9:17
And smite about it with a knife.] They shall be slain with that sharp knife or sword, Eze 5:1 after that the city is taken.
Thou shalt scatter in the wind.] Sundry of them shall flee for their lives; but in running from death they shall but run to it. Amos 9:1,4 ; Amo 2:13-16