Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.
They that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak. Marking the blindness of the fraction of Jews under Gedaliah, who, though dwelling amidst regions laid waste by the foe, still cherished hopes of deliverance, and this without repentance.
Saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many - if God gave the land for an inheritance to Abraham, who was but one (Isaiah 51:2), much more it is given to us, who, though reduced, are still many. If he, with 318 servants, was able to defend himself amidst so many foes, much more shall we, so much more numerous, retain our own. The grant of the land was not for his sole use, but for his numerous posterity.
He inherited the land - not actually possessed it (Acts 7:5, for "God gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on; yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child"); but had the right of dwelling and pasturing his flocks in it (Grotius). The Jews boasted similarly of their Abrahamic descent in Gospel times, though utterly destitute of the faith and works of Abraham (Matthew 3:9; John 8:39, "They answered ... Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham").