Isaiah 29:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is declared that Lebanon will be altered, becoming like Mount Carmel, while Carmel will take on the likeness of Lebanon—meaning those who once worshipped idols will come to recognize the God who is venerated in Judea and will be regarded among the firstborn of Israel. Conversely, those descended from Israel will resemble the residents of Lebanon, who had previously strayed.

Israel, having been severed from communion with God due to their transgressions against Christ, stands in contrast to the Gentiles, who, having been accepted and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, have become participants in the divine nature. Thus, it is stated that Lebanon will be transformed into a likeness of Mount Carmel, and Mount Carmel will turn into an oak tree, symbolizing a forest filled with wild trees, the end of which faces fiery destruction. Alternatively, one might interpret this as those who ravaged Israel representing the wood from these trees, which the prophet Zechariah seems to reference when he urges, "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars; let the fir trees lament, for the cedar has fallen; the mighty are in deep distress. Mourn, O oaks of Bashan, for the noble tree has been uprooted" (Zechariah 11:1-2). It is important to observe that Zechariah compares Judea to Lebanon, demonstrating no distinction between them and the people who once turned away. He associates the fir, the cedar, and the oak with those destined to collapse within that context. For these majestic and exalted figures were, in a sense, consumed by the fire of divine judgment.

Let the Jews and those who only recognize historical accounts, seeking not the fruits of the tree, but merely its leaves and shadowy words, which soon fade away, respond: How is it that at the coming of the Lord Savior—given the short span from Isaiah to the Incarnation in the light of eternity—the great mountain of Lebanon was altered and became Mount Carmel, known in Hebrew as Chermel? This mountain lies on the edge of Palestine and the Phoenician Ptolemais, although another mountain called Carmel is mentioned in Holy Scripture, the same mountain linked to Nabal, a foolish and unrighteous man, whose wife Abigail later married David after Nabal’s death, for while he lived, marrying David would have branded her an adulteress. How is it possible for Carmel to be seen as a forest and devoid of fruitful trees? If they are unable to answer, let them consider that Lebanon symbolizes cleansing and alludes to the Gentile nations, who, having been washed in the Lord and cleansed from their former iniquities, are elevated through the Church established in the Savior’s name. It is also stated in the Song of Songs, “Who is this that ascends, whitewashed, leaning on her beloved?” This people, too, is transformed to Carmel, which represents their knowledge of true circumcision and preparation to take the place of the Jewish people. Meanwhile, those who reject Christ are likened to wood and barren trees, unable to join the fruitful trees in praising the Lord.

When Lebanon becomes Carmel and Carmel is likened to a forest, then those who were previously deaf and could not perceive the words of the prophetic book—of which we previously noted that the entirety of the Holy Scriptures is often described as a single book, as Ecclesiastes asserts: the words of the wise are like goads and nails firmly driven; they are given by one Shepherd—will hear and speak, and the Savior will command them to ephphatha, which means “be opened.” That which we have translated as “out of darkness and gloom the eyes of the blind shall see” is also rendered by Aquila, Theodotion, and Symmachus to indicate that darkness and gloom will be seen by the formerly blind, manifesting to the Gentiles, who were once blind, the mysteries of Christ, as suggested in the line: “Dark is the water in the clouds of the air.”

In the same psalm, it is declared that God sets "darkness as His canopy.” Proverbs states: “The wise man increases in wisdom and the prudent in understanding; he interprets proverbs and allegories and understands the words of the wise.” Finally, Moses, desiring to know and see God, entered the cloud and the darkness, as reflected in the psalm where it is said: “Darkness is beneath His feet.” When those who were previously blind will either discern all mysteries or lift their eyes from darkness and gloom, the true light will illuminate those dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death. Then the meek, of whom it is stated: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” or the needy, represented in the Psalms by the proclamation “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,” will rejoice in the Lord, who assures that one who boasts should only boast in the Lord. Those who are downtrodden or scorned by people, who once lacked understanding of the law, will celebrate in the Holy One of Israel, who declares, “You shall be holy, as I am holy.” All this joy arises from the reality that the one who was vanquished is no more; he who mocked, the arrogant and haughty, claiming, “With strength and wisdom, I will prevail, I will dismantle the boundaries of nations and crush their might,” who scorned all creation, so that the holy one expressed, “My garments are filled with disdain.”

All who are fixated on wickedness will be exterminated due to their malicious vigilance that does not rest; those who led humanity into sin through blasphemous words attempting to deny the Word of God and speaking contempt against heaven. The term denotes the demons, who themselves are detestable, leading all to sin through misleading doctrines, creating obstacles for those who proposed correction at the gates and in the courts, smearing the truth of Him who stood at Zion’s gates, above the gates of death, and condemning those who despised the advocate at the gates. What we attribute to the devil and his angels, the Nazarenes interpret as being directed against the scribes and Pharisees, signifying that there are no longer interpreters of traditions who previously mocked the people through corrupt teachings, keeping watch over the simple-minded, causing them to sin concerning the Word of God to deny Christ, the Son of God.

The transformation will see Lebanon embodying Carmel, suggesting that the Gentiles will assume the role once held by the chosen people within Christ’s kingdom, receiving God’s unique care similar to that of Israel in the Old Testament. Conversely, Carmel will represent a forsaken orchard: the chosen people will resemble a neglected garden, akin to a wild forest abandoned by divine attention, yielding not the fruitful products of faith and holiness but only the bitter harvests of disbelief in Christ and superstition.