In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough - rather, 'as the leavings of woods:' what the axeman leaves when he cuts down the grove (cf. Isaiah 17:6).
Which they left because of the children of Israel - i:e., which the providence of God so ordered it that the enemy left, because of the children of Israel. He reserved a remnant, from His regard to the people of His covenant, giving Israel still room for repentance. So He was about to break off the Assyrian's yoke from Judah "because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27) (Junius). Calvin and Vatablus take the Hebrew relative asher ("which") in the sense AS, and retain the English version, "forsaken:" Israel's 'strong cities shall be forsaken JUST AS (the Canaanites) left their cities because of (literally, from before the face of) the children of Israel.' Rather, 'which (the enemies) shall leave for the children of Israel;' literally, 'shall leave (in departing) from before the face of the children of Israel' (Maurer). But a few cities out of many shall be left to Israel, by the purpose of God, executed by the Assyrian.