Isaiah 33:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To summarize the words of the holy prophets, it is stated emphatically in God’s name that their fortunes, both small and great, will soon be amassed. He assures them that deliverance from their adversaries will not be in the distant future, nor will the threats be postponed; rather, they shall face immediate desolation, both small and great. Their despoilers will congregate them as if gathering swarms of locusts in the fields, an effort achieved not with toil but rather as an act of triviality. In a similar vein, Israel has suffered spiritually, being handed over to Satan and unclean spirits, akin to enemies that plunder and amuse themselves with them, much like locusts.

The Jewish perspective suggests that the preceding passage, which states, "Woe unto the robber: shalt thou also be robbed?" is a declaration against Sennacherib, King of Assyria. After the cities of the ten tribes, known as Israel, were devastated, and the cities of the Jews, except Jerusalem, were taken, it is believed that he himself would be vanquished and his forces destroyed as a result of the angel’s victory over him. Therefore, they claim it is a message of gratitude offered by the people, who declare, "Lord, have mercy on us; in You we trust," affirming that He is their strength, encircled by adversaries in the morning and their salvation during hardship.

According to the voice of the angel, which Simmachus rendered as it appears in Hebrew (amun), the Jews perceive it to refer to Gabriel, whose name shares a common lineage with the word for people. The Assyrian fled before the majesty of God, and the accompanying tribes were scattered in all directions. As they fled, the Jews gathered the spoils, similar to how one collects a swarm of caterpillars and locusts when they are amassed in ditches. In their victory, the Lord was exalted; Zion was filled with justice and righteousness, and the faith of the besieged was affirmed. Their treasures lay in wisdom, in the knowledge of God, and in the reverence of the Lord, who alone was their wealth.

They interpret this in light of history, striving in various ways to undermine the doctrines of Christ and His apostles. However, we assert that following the glorification of the Apostles, of whom it is said, "Blessed are they that sow in all waters…" and about the anguish of those who persecuted them, of whom it is further stated, "Woe to them that make you unclean," this speaks on behalf of the Apostles and all believers. The interpretation is as follows: Lord, we hoped in Your aid and trusted in You; the seed of the unbelievers has perished eternally, and our deliverance has manifested in the time of tribulation.

For when You provided assistance, the entire multitude of tribes was dispersed, becoming fodder for scorn by their victors. This indeed was accomplished because the holy Lord resides on high, and Zion was filled with justice and righteousness, as it is written, "Justice and righteousness shall dwell in the wilderness." Thus, it is the same Zion previously described as a wilderness, and to everyone who dwells there, the law of the gospel shall be imparted. Within its treasury lies our salvation, encompassing the wisdom of believers, understanding, and devotion, which are distinctive to true Christians, along with the reverence for the Lord, wherein the treasures of wisdom are found.