And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

And broad places of the city are full of boys and girls, Playing in its broad places.

And the open spaces of the town will be full of boys and girls playing in its open spaces.

And the streets of the city will be filled with toddlers and children, playing in its streets.

Et plateae urbis plenae erunt pueris et puellis, ludentibus in plateis ejus.

He repeats and confirms the same thing by another representation -- that boys and girls would play in the streets and on the public roads, which could not be during the troublous time of war; for when arms clatter, the sound of trumpets is heard, and assaults of enemies are dreaded, every one keeps his children at home, and in public there is sad confusion, and few are found abroad; in short there is no cheerfulness even in children when fear is hanging over them. We hence see, that what is here promised is a state of quietness to Jerusalem; for God would keep off the onsets of enemies -- not that Jerusalem was ever exempt from all evils, but that God's defense was so effectual as to render them safe amidst many and various dangers. It is not needful here anxiously to raise the questions -- Whether it is lawful to play during times of peace? for the Prophet here took his language from the common habits of men, and even from the very nature of things; for we know that men give way to cheerfulness when no fear lays hold on their minds, and that play and sport are allowed to children. The Prophet meant only this, that though the Jews might then have something to do with various enemies, they would yet be in a state of peace and safety. He afterwards adds --

The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls - The progeny shall be numerous, healthy, and happy. Their innocent gambols and useful exercises shall be a means of health, and a proof of happiness. To be healthy, children must have exercise. But they cannot take exercise, except in the way of play and diversion: ergo, such playfulness cannot be sinful. Let them be kept from evil words, lying, swearing, and scurrility; and all the rest may be innocent.

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls,.... Denoting a large increase of inhabitants, in a literal sense; and may spiritually signify the large numbers of converts, of new born babes, who are regenerated by the grace and Spirit of God, and are accounted of by the Lord for a generation:
playing the streets thereof; being in health and rigour, and in great security. The Targum renders it, "singing" or "praising in the spacious places thereof"; singing the praises of God in Gospel strains; saying their Hosannas to the Son of David; rejoicing in the great salvation by Christ, and magnifying the grace of God, and setting forth the glories of it in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; see Matthew 11:16. In Jerusalem, literally taken, there were various streets, besides the street of the temple, which led to it, Ezra 10:9 mention is made of others in Jewish writings, as of the upper street (k), and of the street of the butchers, and of the street of those that dealt in wool (l).
(k) Misn. Shekalim, c. 8. sect. 1. (l) Misn. Erubin, c. 10. sect. 9.

boys and girls playing--implying security and a numerous progeny, accounted a leading blessing among the Jews. Contrast Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 9:21.