The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
Get the app

Isaiah 30:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who say to the seers: See not: and to them that behold: Behold not for us those things that are right: speak unto us pleasant things, see errors for us.

Douay-Rheims

אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמְר֤וּ לָֽרֹאִים֙ לֹ֣א תִרְא֔וּ וְלַ֣חֹזִ֔ים לֹ֥א תֶחֱזוּ־לָ֖נוּ נְכֹח֑וֹת דַּבְּרוּ־לָ֣נוּ חֲלָק֔וֹת חֲז֖וּ מַהֲתַלּֽוֹת׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

5 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Those who tell the visionaries, “stop seeing,” and instruct the prophets, “do not proclaim the truth to us,” resemble the sick who dread the healing hands of the doctors. They desire only flattering words and comforting predictions. Consider this: when is a person most deeply offended? Is it when they ignore the quiet, or when they disregard the voice of the speaker? It is certainly when they choose to dismiss the one who speaks. Therefore, the greater offense and neglect occur when you fail to heed the speaker. “Speak not unto us,” declared the ancient Jews to the prophets.

Read more (71 words)

Yet your transgression is even more severe when you assert, “Do not speak; we will not listen.” They restrained the prophets from sharing their messages as if out of some respect for their words, but you, in your utter disregard, do not even engage in this. Truly, if you had physically sealed our mouths with your hands, it would not be as great an insult as what you are doing now.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

As these occurrences were destined to unfold at their appointed time, he instructed that they be recorded and acknowledged; for he asserts they will occur in the days ahead and will be worthy of eternal remembrance. The truth of this statement stands firm. They will consistently serve as indicators of authentic prophets, right up until the conclusion of this age. It should be emphasized, he notes, that this prophecy is significant due to the disobedience of humanity. If they reject the holy prophets who will arise in that era, they ought to feel shame for what has been predicted by you.

Read more (246 words)

He labels them deceivers, in my view, due to their failure to maintain the reverence owed to God and their unfaithfulness to the covenant established while Moses was receiving God's commandments on Mount Sinai, who reigns over all. It is evident that they collectively declared, “All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do and obey.” Therefore, although the law clearly commands, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and serve him only; thou shalt not make an idol for thyself,” they disregarded this commandment, opting instead to worship idols. Thus, with complete justice, he refers to them as the offspring of falsehood. David does not declare, “The enemies of the Lord have deceived Him,” and as if speaking for Christ, he notes, “The sons of strangers have lied to me.” The root of their troubles lay in their dishonor of the law and their contempt for the very words of the holy prophets. He points this out, stating, “They that would not listen to the law of God, saying, ‘Speak not unto us, but speak unto us something else, divert us from this path: remove this path from us, and take away the Holy One of Israel.’” In their cries, the harsh Israelites frequently persecuted many of the holy prophets. This reality is clearly illustrated when Jeremiah urged them, “Go not into Egypt,” to which they responded, “Liar, the Lord hath not sent thee; instead, the son of Nirin is causing you to prophesy otherwise.”

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

Refrain from speaking against us, as it causes us distress, and do not proclaim to us messages of doom.

*****

If you are willing to listen, come; and if you hear, you will gain wisdom. If it is challenging for you to hear the word, consider how much more difficult it is to put it into action. Therefore, recognize that you are as careless in this regard as I am.

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

They provoke the Lord to anger, being a people of deceit who refuse to heed His commandments. They instruct the seers, “Do not show us what lies ahead; do not reveal the truth to us. Instead, speak to us smooth words and foresee falsehoods.” They request, “Remove the path from before me; turn away from me the way of the Holy One of Israel.” This indifference clearly characterizes those who anger the Lord, as exemplified by the words of Jeremiah. The people, dismissing him, demand, “Do not foretell what we do not want to hear; do not prevent us from going to Egypt or proclaiming justice. Instead, tell us what pleases us so we may pursue our own desires.” They challenge, “Why do you share what we wish to ignore? Why do you direct us towards a path we do not wish to tread?

Read more (146 words)

Why must you frequently declare, ‘Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel’? We desire an end to such prophecies.”

In a figurative sense, all heretical individuals are regarded as dishonest offspring. They have departed from us, yet they have not genuinely escaped (1 John 2:19). With their inner ears, they fail to hear God’s law and urge the church teachers, “Do not speak truth to us or threaten us with the torments of hell; rather, assure us of the kingdom of heaven so we may enjoy indulgence and pleasure, expecting paradise to follow.” They question, “Why reveal the Lord’s way which we refuse to follow? Why invoke the name of the Holy One of Israel, which does not touch my heart?” This sentiment also applies to all negligent members of the Church who disregard the guidance of their teachers and lean toward false prophets.

Cyrill of Jerusalem

4th centuryChurch Father

The bishops and Pharisees sealed the tomb following Pilate's orders, yet it was the women who witnessed the Resurrected One. The chief priests remain oblivious to the truth, while the women perceive it with clarity. When the soldiers arrived in the city to report to the chief priests everything that had transpired, they were instructed to say, "Tell them that His disciples came by night and took Him away" (Matthew 28:13). Indeed, Isaiah seemed to speak for them when he lamented, "Do not prophesy truth to us, speak flattering things to us, foretell pleasant things." The Resurrected One has indeed triumphed over death, while the soldiers are lured by the allure of silver.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.