THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Is there a stone that remains vacant under the mountain of the daughter of Zion? In other words, lacking assistance? No, for amidst the siege by the armies of the nations, she will discover aid.
Isaiah 16:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Send forth, O Lord, the lamb, the ruler of the earth, from Petra of the desert, to the mount of the daughter of Sion.
שִׁלְחוּ־כַ֥ר מֹשֵֽׁל־אֶ֖רֶץ מִסֶּ֣לַע מִדְבָּ֑רָה אֶל־הַ֖ר בַּת־צִיּֽוֹן׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
Where can one find Mount Zion devoid of stone? You shall find yourselves like birds in flight, akin to a fledgling taken from its nest, much like the children of Moab. At a particular time, Salmanassar, the king of Assyria, waged war against Samaria and seized cities within it, while causing further suffering in many cities of Judah, leading numerous individuals into captivity in his own land. Consequently, the tribes of Moab mocked Zion and Jerusalem, referring to it as a stone of desolation, not ridiculing the city itself, but rather the Almighty who reigns above all. They declared that the hand which had rescued them was now weakened, and thus they had been trampled underfoot by their foes.
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Therefore, O offspring of Moab, it is said—this is a common expression: Is Mount Zion merely an empty stone? Has Zion uniquely endured suffering? Has it alone fallen beneath the oppression of its adversaries and experienced the devastation of its people? Have you not also been brought low? For you too will fall prey to your enemies, and like a weaned chick leaving its nest, you shall find yourself in a foreign land, becoming captives to your foes, a source of misery, laid low and bearing the weight of bondage. Hence, it is wise and necessary to remember this principle: When your enemy falters, do not take joy in their downfall. For the Lord will witness it, and it will not be pleasing to Him; He will turn away His anger from them. We should not find delight in the misfortunes of others, nor should we exploit the suffering of our neighbor for our own enjoyment, regardless of the magnitude of their sorrow. Instead, we ought to mourn for them, attentively reflecting on our own transgressions and genuinely fearing that the wrath of the One who chastises them may also come upon us.
Basil the Great
I will send forth serpents across the earth, signifying that I will halt those who seek after worldly matters, as from their iniquity arise snakes and poisonous serpents. They are called serpents because they have fallen from the exalted state in which they were originally created; and poisonous because they harm those who encounter them. The prophetic declaration states that it sends forth. Therefore, anyone who remains upon the earth after the first Moabites—who are rightly compared to the serpent, of whom it is said, “Thou shalt tear up the earth all thy days” (cf. Gen. 3:14)—is sent like the creeping things. Yet, the earth will face destruction by him who sows to the flesh, and from the flesh will reap decay (cf. Gal. 6:8).
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Another message for the daughter of Moab: Is not a stone merely a barren mountain to the daughter of Zion? The prophet condemns her disdain, as she considered the daughter of Zion to be insignificant, viewing Mount Zion as a mere stone, unremarkable in size, lacking the bounty of agriculture, and failing to provide sustenance for its inhabitants and cultivators.
Ephraem the Syrian
From the stone of the desert to the heights of the daughter of Zion, the seer highlights the boundaries of Moab's territory, which reached up to the borders of Judah's land.
Jerome of Stridon
Send the Lamb, the sovereign of the world, from the rock of the wilderness to the mountain of the daughter of Zion. What is being communicated is not historical account but prophetic vision; every prophecy is shrouded in enigmas, moving from one thought to another, preventing the narrative from becoming straightforward if the Scriptures maintained strict order. The essence is this: O Moab, you who are to be ruled by a lion, who will leave no remnant to escape, take comfort in this: there will emerge from among you a Spotless Lamb who will remove the sins of humanity and will hold authority over all creation. He will arise from the rock of the wilderness, that is, from Ruth, the widow who gave birth to Obed by Boaz, and from Obed to Jesse, from Jesse to David, and from David to Christ.
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The mountain of the daughter of Zion may refer to the city of Jerusalem or, in a deeper sense, to the Church elevated by virtue.
It is said that the daughters of Moab shall be like fleeing birds and chicks leaving their nest as they reach the ford of the Arnon. The prophecy returns to its original theme: when I establish for those escaping Moab, and for the remnant of the land, a ferocious lion that will crush their bones, they will be scattered in fear, with all the daughters—meaning the towns and villages of Moab—crossing the Arnon, which marks the boundary between the Moabites and the Ammonites.
Engage in dialogue, gather a council; cast your shadow like the night at noon, provide refuge for the fugitives, and do not betray those who wander. My exiles shall find a home with you; Moab, be a sanctuary for them against the destroyer, for the dust has settled, the wicked one is vanquished, and he who oppressed the earth is no more. The Hebrew word used can signify the desolator. Thus, Moab is urged to seek wise counsel and, by gathering the elders, create a meeting for salvation. If you wish to be saved and extended God’s mercy, you ought to cover my people as they take flight in the light of day, offering them protection while refusing to abandon any who stray. For my people will come to you after Jerusalem and Judea, in their desolation, are devastated. Provide a refuge for them, undeterred by threats from the destroyer, for he will soon pass away like dust, and the madman who oppressed the land will vanish with a mere breeze.
And a throne shall be established through mercy, where he will preside in truth within the tabernacle of David, seeking righteousness and rewarding what is just. Some interpret this to mean that when the Assyrian king is expelled, Hezekiah, a man of justice, will reign over Judah from David’s throne, judging his people in truth. Others see this as a foreshadowing of Christ. When the dust of Antichrist is crushed and the one who trampled the earth is defeated, King Christ will take His throne in the tabernacle of David, rewarding all according to their deeds on the day of judgment. Clearly, this prophecy is directed towards Christ. Furthermore, it can also apply to the initial coming and the establishment of the Church, signifying the triumph of Christ’s power as churches rise throughout the land of Moab.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Isa 10:32It is yet day enough, to remain in Nobe: he shall shake his hand against the mountain of the daughter of Sion, the hill of Jerusalem.
- 2 Sam 8:2And he defeated Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the earth: and he measured with two lines, one to put to death, and one to save alive: and Moab was made to serve David under tribute.
- Isa 42:11Let the desert and the cities thereof be exalted: Cedar shall dwell in houses: ye inhabitants of Petra, give praise, they shall cry from the top of the mountains.
- Ezra 7:17Take freely, and buy diligently with this money, calves, rams, lambs, with the sacrifices and libations of them, and offer them upon the altar of the temple of your God, that is in Jerusalem.
- Mic 4:8And thou, O cloudy tower of the flock, of the daughter of Sion, unto thee shall it come: yea the first power shall come, the kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.