Isaiah 37:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

She displayed disdain for the Assyrian, in a sense turning her back on him, for she mocked him when he faced defeat, composing a song and fitting verse about his misfortunes. Then she asked him, Whom have you insulted and provoked, or to whom have you raised your voice? For you have not spoken with such audacity against any false deity. Are you not to lift your thoughts up high and reflect on who and what is the God of Israel? Through the mere observation of creation, you ought to comprehend the vastness of the Creator's power and witness the depth of His glory, rather than harbor any low thoughts against Him. Yet you chose to forget this and reviled the Lord.

She proclaimed, 'You are prideful not before me, but before the Lord, and your exaltation comes not from yourself, but through your servants, that the blasphemer's arrogance may be more pronounced. For you have claimed that with your numerous chariots you will ascend to the heights of the mountains and the slopes of Lebanon, cutting down its tall cedars and cypress trees.'" It is important to consider that "Lebanon" may symbolically represent all nations and their rulers, while its cedars and cypresses signify the strong and noble among them, with the pinnacle and the forests of Carmel pointing to the temple. Previously, it was stated: "For you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, laying them waste" (2 Kings 19:11). Thus, you too shall face destruction. He further remarked: "I dried up foreign waters and will drain the rivers of Egypt with my feet" (1 Samuel 19:24). This can be understood historically, indicating that the vast army he commanded caused all sources of water to dry up, compelling him to dig wells. Figuratively, it reflects the devastation wrought by his forces upon nations, frequently depicted as waters. In contrast, the Septuagint offers a distinct translation: "I established a bridge and eliminated the waters and every gathering of waters," which implies that no nation would remain beyond his reach, as he would tread upon all the waters of the nations with his feet.