And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
When I passed by thee - as if a traveler.
And saw thee polluted in thine own blood - but, Piscator, 'ready to be trodden on.'
I said. In contrast to Israel's helplessness stands God's omnipotent word of grace, which bid the outcast little one "live."
When thou wast in thy blood - though thou wast foul with blood, I said, "Live" (Grotius). 'Live in thy blood,' i:e., Live, but live a life exposed to many deaths, as was the case in the beginnings of Israel's national existence, in order to magnify the grace of God (Calvin). The former view is preferable. Spiritually, until the sinner is made sensible of his abject helplessness, he will not appreciate the provisions of God's grace.