Genesis 11:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

‘And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God,’ as the Apostle notes, “into the likeness of a corruptible image of man, and of birds, and of four-footed beasts, and creeping things, and changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator: for which cause God gave them up to vile affections, for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature” (Rom. 1:23-26). Although they established laws for their civil society, some of which may have appeared noble, they ultimately undermined them through their wrongdoing.

Contrary to popular belief, idolatry did not originate with Seruch, the great-grandfather of Abraham, as he accepted pre-existing idols rather than creating them himself. The true inception of idolatry, however, originated with Nain, the son of Bilhah. Upon the death of his father, King Bilhah, who had dominion over Assyria and Babylonia, also known as Chaldea, his son Nin took the throne. In his grief, Nin crafted a statue in the likeness of his father, capturing both his appearance and stature, and erected it upon a pillar in the city to honor him posthumously, instituting a decree: ‘If any individual guilty and deserving of death should come to this pillar and idol to worship it, let them be absolved of their transgressions and spared from execution.’

Those seeking the king’s favor began to pay homage to this idol representing their late king, appealing to the king’s fondness. Other nations, inspired by the Assyrians and Chaldeans, began similarly to venerate their past rulers and heroes, establishing pillars and images in their honor. Evil spirits, witnessing the reverence shown to these lifeless idols, began to inhabit them, producing voices to lead humanity astray. They offered responses to inquirers, as if foretelling the future. Thus, the misguided began to regard these idols as living gods, presenting sacrifices and worshiping them, leading to the proliferation of polytheism and idolatry among mankind.

There is debate on whether Nin or Semiramis first constructed the idol of Vil, with some claiming Semiramis was the daughter of Vil and Nin her son-in-law, though most concur that Nin was indeed the son of Vil and the one who erected his father's image. In Egypt, the genesis of idolatry is similarly noted: a nobleman named Syrophanis, mourning his deceased son and seeking solace in his grief, crafted a likeness of his son and positioned it atop the deceased’s tomb. This allowed him some relief from his sorrow, and those under his authority began to honor the idol with offerings and reverence. Saint Chrysostom references this in his discussions on the Epistle to the Ephesians, recounting a wealthy man who, devoutly weeping for his son without comfort, constructed a soulless representation of the deceased, persuading himself he could discern his son’s presence in it.

Following the honors bestowed by his friends upon the idol of his son, Syrophanis then erected a temple at the tomb and appointed priests to attend to its service. He imposed a rule that the priests, while on duty, should forgo all worldly concerns, abstaining from relationships and practicing asceticism. This regulation eventually influenced idol priests broadly, leading them to fast from meat and wine, shun their wives, and even avoid their children during their period of service. Their devotion was directed toward the study of astrology, sorcery, and the nature of creation. All this reflects on the spiritual state of the clergy: if the idol priests devoted themselves to such rigorous abstinence in worship of false entities, what of those who serve the true God and offer the unbloody sacrifice of Christ for all creation? Do they not provoke shame upon themselves by indulging in drunkenness and vice, neglecting their spiritual duties and failing to guide others? Do they not risk condemnation to deeper hell than even those who reverently serve demons? While the latter lacked awareness of the true path, they maintained considerable ascetic practices, whereas these have been revealed salvation and yet indulge in excess and folly. Those who swear fealty to demons serve with deep reverence, while many Christians approach their divine service with casual disregard.

How will such individuals present themselves before Christ, whom they have not served with the fervor exhibited by idol priests towards their vain deities?

In the days of Ragab, people began to rise in pride against one another, adopting regal titles and waging wars with weapons they crafted. The tribe of Canaan became weary under the burden of slavery, fulfilling the prophecy of their ancestor Noah. It is important to remember the account of Asshur, known as Bilhah, who after the death of Nimrod defied the rule of Ham’s descendants in the east, seizing control over Babylon. Similarly, we can interpret Kedar's recounting of Nina, Beel's son, who became the pioneer of the Assyrian monarchy in the Celestial Empire. Many historians relate how, desiring dominion over tranquil peoples who neither fought nor knew war, he subjugated them, expanding his realm. Yet his ambitions were insatiable, leading him to distant conquests, resulting in conflict with the Bactrian king Zoroaster, whom he ultimately defeated and killed. The Bactrian kingdom was located beyond Assyria and bordered Asian Scythia, named after the river Bactros on which the capital city, Bactra, stood.

In that realm, there was a gruesome lack of compassion for the elderly; once parents aged and became burdensome, their children fed them to specially bred dogs known as funeral dogs, whose purpose was to consume human flesh. O wretched ingratitude of children towards their parents, repaying their nurturing with such suffering! Oh, the darkness and delusion of the pagans deceived by demons, thinking this ungodly act divine! One might contemplate that such divine judgment allowed this people, who did not spare their offspring and sacrificed them to demons, to endure this fate. As written in the Psalms: ‘They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters’ (Psalm 105:37-38). Thus, they too were not spared by their offspring but were given over to the dogs, reaping the just consequences of their actions, in light of God’s righteous decree: What you have done to your children, you shall also receive from your children; having sacrificed your own, your children shall devour you.

Zoroaster, it is said, laughed upon his birth, which caused amazement as all newborns typically cry; instead, he brought joy into the world. As he matured, his keen intellect marked him as the first to develop astrology and sorcery post-flood, and he accomplished great feats in medicine. He authored numerous texts, all of which Nin burned, resulting in Zoroaster’s demise. In his life, the fickleness of our existence was clearly exhibited; he entered the world with joy, yet departed in tears. Though he faced death surrounded by riches and power, he lost all to adversaries, meeting a cruel end. His joyous introduction was rendered meaningless by a bitter exit, thus illustrating the transient nature of this life, filled with fleeting joys that swiftly give way to sorrows.

Life, akin to river waters that start sweet yet flow towards the bitterness of the sea, leads us from temporary pleasures toward inevitable sorrow at death. The mirth that characterizes our entry into existence fades, and upon confronting death, all past happiness loses its significance in the face of current grief. Numerous rivers meet the sea, yet the sea’s bitterness does not alleviate their sweetness, serving as a metaphor for life’s fleeting joys that cannot sweeten the bitterness of death’s hour. As such, true happiness eludes those who accumulate worldly pleasures, increasing their sorrow upon entry into eternity, where one will not find joy by recalling the pleasures of life. Blessed is the one who weeps rather than rejoices, who mourns for their sins rather than revels in earthly blessings, choosing instead to dwell on death, judgment, and hell with a heart focused on pleasing God and securing eternal joy in His presence.

It should be noted that another individual named Zoroaster arose later in Persia, reported to have foretold his own demise due to lightning. He instructed the Persians to preserve his remains, promising them enduring dominion as long as they honored his bones. His initial prophecy was indeed fulfilled when he perished by lightning; however, the other concerning the lasting strength of the Persian realm ultimately proved false, for the kingdom would soon face destruction.