Isaiah 40:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Through Him, all things came into being. Earlier it was noted, Who has contained the waters in the hollow of His hand and measured the heavens with a span? Yet here the prophet refers not to creation but to divine governance. Therefore, do not delve into what supports the earth, as God sustains it in His grip. There is no other foundation save His, and no further proof is necessary. Those who dwell upon it are like grasshoppers, revealing humanity's insignificance before God; He shapes them according to His will. Thus, do not be overwhelmed by the expanse of the earth, but recognize the immense might of the One who upholds it, lest you become bewildered in your studies. By acknowledging that the earth's form is fixed, you will understand the overwhelming and unyielding strength of the Creator's hand, which will lead you to genuine belief. We often reference the locust as a symbol of frailty. He stretched the heavens like a delicate fabric; Aquila interprets this as He who spreads the heavens like air; Symmachus describes it as He who positioned the heavens like a framework. In this, the prophet speaks of creation, not merely of formed matter or heavenly beings, but illustrates the means by which humanity may share in God’s work. The prophet does not specify how God brought forth creation from nothing but indicates that He keeps some things unblemished and adorns others. It is a remarkable act of craftsmanship to maintain and beautify created works. We do not marvel at architects for simply carving grand columns, but rather for their placement and fortification. Thus, we should not only praise God for what He created and for the magnificence of the celestial bodies but also for His preservation of these created wonders in strength and integrity. Even if the firmament were to collapse, who but the One who brought them into existence from the void has the power to sustain them? When you hear the words, He spread them out like a tent, do not fear for the heavens may fall, for the prophet previously reassures us, He spread out the heavens like fine cloth, to alleviate your fears through this image. If you worry that the heavens may descend like a tabernacle, the prophet quickly affirms that the heavens, though akin to a fabric, are nonetheless resilient. Why employ both images? To convey the strength of the fabric alongside the lightness of the tabernacle, illustrating the Creator's ability to form the heavens as delicately as a tent while ensuring they remain steadfast and secure. To prevent the Creator's lightness from inducing fear in creation, the prophet first describes the heavens using the term for fabric, emphasizing that they were made with intention, not merely for vanity, but so humanity could dwell beneath their expanse. The heavens stretch like a dome. If someone questions, ‘Why are the heavens arched like a dome instead of flat?’ I can only admit my own lack of comprehension regarding these matters; I recognize the shape of the heavens, yet I cannot explain why it is so. What does it mean to ‘spread out’? Just as a person effortlessly and quickly lays out their garments, God has spread the heavens with even greater ease. Remarkably, after countless ages, there remains no fracture or blemish in the heavens. What can hold the heavens in place, or what pillars or cords can secure them? Yet, you cannot cite any such thing, and it is far wiser to recognize the power of God, for it is said, In His hand are all the ends of the earth (Psalms 94:4). It is rightly noted, He spreads out; yet it is also recorded, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll of books (Isaiah 34:4); and further, As a garment thou shalt fold them up, and they shall be changed (Psalm 101:27). Like fine fabric, God has laid the heavens over us. Their majesty, beauty, and exquisite designs delight and refresh our vision. From them flows not only what is essential, but also what, through its splendor, brings us joy and peace. God, rich in mercy, grants us profound blessings by meeting not only our needs but also by enriching us with joy and calmness; for why else would He place before us such fruitful fields, an expansive sky, a vast atmosphere, and an abundance of waters? Does the multitude of creatures not exceed our requirements? He has done this for our enjoyment as well as for our necessity.

He has elevated the heavens above as a canopy and expanded it as a tent for those who inhabit it, for those for whom it was created. The prophet affirms, “I did not create it in vain, but to be a dwelling.” Hence, he contemplates how vast is the number of those who reside on the earth, despite being innumerable – in truth, when compared to God's magnificence and glory, they are as insignificant as locusts. Alternatively, they encompass the entire sphere of the earth, yet they are nothing before Him; even if they swarm like locusts in search of sustenance, they are outnumbered. This reality is both wondrous and significant for the exaltation of the Almighty God.

Why, then, do the earth and dust teem? The heavens, as portrayed in Scripture, are described as a dome, or in Hebrew, like "doc," illustrating robustness. The Septuagint translates this as "saliva," a term that has also been rendered as "chamber," reflecting the ceiling that spreads out above like a canopy, sheltering humanity beneath a vast abode. It is hardly surprising that these minute beings, such as humankind, are likened to locusts and other small creatures. Additionally, it is said that the semicircular sky arches over the earth, depicting the celestial dome encompassing the world, while the Hebrew text refers not to a dome but to "doc," emphasizing the concept of fine dust. This metaphor of saliva cast upon the earth, mingled and fading away, serves to depict the entire physical existence as trivial. Yet, He has spread the heavens either for angelic hosts above or for humanity below, establishing a grand sanctuary for rational beings to dwell within.

In this way, He has overthrown both Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar along with countless others, rendering earthly powers as insignificant (Is 40:23, LXX). The might of the Creator is not defined by His creations, but by divine will alone. It is said, “The Lord created what He willed” (Ps 113:11, LXX)—not merely what He could create, but what He chose to create: for while He had the ability to accomplish much greater things, He designed what He considered to be beautiful.