Isaiah 14:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This analogy perhaps denotes the extreme darkness of hell. You will indeed become a marvel to those who behold you, as significant transformations, especially those that defy expectations, evoke wonder in observers.

What exactly is this marvel, and what will they say about it? They might ask, "Is this truly a man?" The one so afflicted may barely be recognized as human, as they have long feared to utter such words. But this is the very man who disturbed the earth, shook kingdoms, laid waste to the entire world, and scattered its storms. It's no wonder they are astonished that one individual could create such turmoil in heaven, unsettle kings, turn the inhabited world into a desolate wasteland, and destroy cities. Moreover, what else makes this different? Those held captive by him are to be noted. In certain scriptural accounts, it mentions those being taken away, suggesting the captivity experienced by the Israelites, who were exiled from their homeland, moving from Judea to Assyria. If the scripture indeed mentions being in bondage, this interpretation provides insight, indicating their state under the Lord's wrath due to numerous transgressions.

Nebuchadnezzar made no effort to free them from their suffering; conversely, he condoned their misery, representing not just arrogance but as an adversary to God, a marauder of the world, showing no mercy to those in extreme distress and suffering. Yet, these significant events may be rightly attributed to the one who oppresses all, namely the devil, for he was a tormentor and a scourge, a fact we have previously elaborated upon. His malicious work ceased as God struck him down with an irrevocable blow of wrath, preventing him from continuing to sow spiritual seeds, much like a powerful lumberjack, as the blessed David recalls when he speaks to the Creator, "The cedars of Lebanon you have planted" (Psalm 103:16). However, upon his tragic and ultimate descent into hell, cast into the consuming flames, the malevolent powers under him rightly marveled and perhaps lamented, exclaiming, "You too are bound like us, and held in our midst."

In glory, he had been esteemed among the angels and distinguished among the higher powers, just as the morning star stands out among the celestial bodies. Yet, he who elevated himself above measure, daring to claim the honor and glory belonging solely to the Almighty, ultimately fell and was crushed. This fate was fitting for the boldness of his intentions and his arrogant thoughts. As the Prophet declares, he who once shook the entire earth and laid waste to the universe has descended to the depths of hell; for he extinguished the true knowledge of God on earth and decimated the righteous. And the captives shall not be set free. This is what the Lord offered to those who believed, proclaiming to the prisoners, "Come forth," and to those in darkness, "Be unveiled" (Isaiah 49:9). Moreover, to those under divine wrath for their egregious violations of God's laws, He graciously forgave their sins, and to those burdened by numerous transgressions due to human frailty, He granted deliverance from condemnation.

As stated in Psalm 9, which addresses the adversary, “Rise up, O Lord; let not man prevail” (Psalm 9:20), and in the Gospel where it is noted, “the enemy has sown tares” (Matthew 13). Thus, we find the words spoken to him and his allies: “I declare, you are gods, children of the Most High, yet you shall die like men; you shall fall like any prince” (Psalm 82:6-7). Similarly, addressed under the guise of the prince of Tyre, it is written: “When your heart is lifted up and you say, ‘I am God, I occupy the dwelling of God in the heart of the sea;’ yet you are a man and not God, having set your heart like the heart of God” (Ezekiel 28:2). This man did tremble the entire earth—referring to those who hear the words to Adam: “for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19)—and shook the kings whose hearts are controlled by the Lord (Proverbs 21:1). He is shaken yet not shattered. Indeed, one who was shaken but did not fall proclaimed, “My feet have almost stumbled” (Psalm 73:2). The apostle urges the faithful to arm themselves with God's armor and stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). However, a house built upon the rock shall not waver in any tempest (Matthew 7:25).

Next, it states he made the world a wasteland, or as translated by all except the Septuagint according to the Hebrew, as if it were desolate. Through vice and sin, he has rendered the world—referred to in Hebrew as "thebel"—a barren place, devoid of virtue, or where the same vices thrive as in the desolate regions of the Gentiles. He has also laid waste to the cities of this earthly realm, transforming the churches of Christ into synagogues of deceit, tainting the purity of true faith with heretical contamination. Moreover, he did not unbind his captives, that is, the world. All of humanity was imprisoned, held in bondage, to whom the Savior declared, “Behold,” and to those ensnared in darkness, “open yourselves; for the Lord liberates those confined.” Freed by Him, they celebrate their deliverance, proclaiming, “You have loosened my bonds” (Psalm 116:7). For each person is ensnared by the cords of their transgressions; these very ropes and fetters the Apostles, imitating their Master, can also dissolve, for He instructed them, “What you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). The Apostles break these bonds through the Word of God, the testimonies of the Scriptures, and their guidance toward virtue.