Isaiah 30:17 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. At the rebuke of five shall ye flee "At the rebuke of five, ten thousand of you shall flee" - In the second line of this verse a word is manifestly omitted, which should answer to one thousand in the first: the Septuagint supply πολλοι, רבים rabbim. But the true word is רבבה rebabah, as I am persuaded any one will be convinced, who will compare the following passages with this place: -

"How should one chase a thousand;

And two put ten thousand (רבבה) to flight?"

Isaiah 30:17

17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beaconc upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.