Much of Judah had been thoroughly devastated by the Assyrian armies. Probably large numbers had flocked to Jerusalem to escape Sennacherib’s onslaught. Now from this city a remnant would go forth to repopulate and restore the land. Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah frequently use the term “remnant” (see Isa. 10:20; 11:11; 14:22; 46:3; Jer. 23:3; 31:7; 40:11, 15; 42:2; 43:5; 44:14; Micah 2:12; 4:7; 5:7, 8).