The Church Fathers on this verse

Isaiah 29:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the multitude of all nations that have fought against Ariel, shall be as the dream of a vision by night, and all that have fought, and besieged and prevailed against it.

Douay-Rheims

וְהָיָ֗ה כַּֽחֲלוֹם֙ חֲז֣וֹן לַ֔יְלָה הֲמוֹן֙ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם הַצֹּבְאִ֖ים עַל־אֲרִיאֵ֑ל וְכָל־צֹבֶ֙יהָ֙ וּמְצֹ֣דָתָ֔הּ וְהַמְּצִיקִ֖ים לָֽהּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

While noting that the wealth of the unrighteous, who have clearly opposed Christ, will amount to nothing more substantial than dust or the mud from a wheel, he emphasizes that such plunder will not yield enduring rewards for the plunderers themselves. He asserts that those who seem to be wealthy are akin to individuals in a dream, believing they have gained much when, in truth, they possess nothing. Upon awakening, they will realize the illusions of their dreams, discovering that what they perceived as reality is merely a fleeting shadow. This phenomenon also occurs among those suffering from hunger or thirst, as the bodily nature pursues its needs. Although sleep might occasionally distract the soul, the body consistently seeks what it desires.

Read more (59 words)

Thus, it can be envisioned that certain mists and subtle representations envelop the mind, but once sleep relinquishes its hold, the illusions reveal themselves to be hollow and entirely unproductive. This, he declares, will be the fate of all wealth amassed by those who stand against Mount Zion. Regarding when and how this transpires, I will refrain from elaborating.

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The prophet also speaks of Jerusalem's deliverance and the downfall of the Assyrians, stating: There shall be... a multitude of voices, should they engage in battle against Ariel... akin to a dreamer who eats yet finds no fulfillment; in other words, the Assyrians will not quench their appetite as they fantasize about consuming Jerusalem.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.