Isaiah 6:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although they will endure trials, these hardships will not be perpetual; their descendants will be sacred and will stand firm, awaiting a transformation of their circumstances. They may face adversity and lack prosperity, yet they will not be completely vanquished. Instead, they will endure and "stand" until they can reclaim their previous way of life and return to their original sanctity.

Hadrian, who later ascended the throne of the Roman Empire, along with Antiochus, known as Epiphanes, assaulted the land of Judea, leading to calamities no less severe than those that preceded it, as the remaining inhabitants suffered devastation and many were taken into exile, culminating in the martyrdom of the Maccabees. The Almighty reminds us of such events through the prophecy, stating there remains a remnant, yet it will be plundered once more. The Lord assures us that the people of Judah will not be without concern, even as a small remnant remains; they too will experience plundering again. The land will again resemble a terebinth, and those residing there will be like acorns when they fall from their boughs. The terebinth is a tree, which, upon losing its leaves, becomes a sight most unappealing, its branches bereft of vitality. Similarly, a land that has endured the ravages of its inhabitants appears as a desolate area with barren trees that lack both color and foliage. Likewise, the acorn, the fruit of the oak tree, when shed from its cupule, becomes nourishment for various creatures that typically consume it. Thus, the land of the Jews is compared to a terebinth stripped of its leaves, while those who have been taken into exile scatter like acorns that have fallen from their protective shells. Solomon conveys a similar idea: just as a bird falls from its nest, so is a man ensnared when removed from his dwelling (Proverbs 27:8). For what could be more tragic than those in bondage? What could be more abject and despicable than seeing men subjected to the will of their conquerors?

Consistent with numerous scriptural passages, this context reveals a beneficial outcome for those who receive discipline favorably. The Lord declares, “I will smite, and I will heal” (Deuteronomy 32:39), and likewise, “He that maketh sick and restoreeth again” (Job 5:18). Consequently, those who initially heard without understanding and who engaged in various transgressions, eventually leading to their dispersion where only a remnant remained, will once again multiply and bear fruit like the terebinth and the acorn, embodying the holy seed within themselves, as they remain steadfast, rooted, and grounded in love (cf. Eph. 3:17).

Whether we state that the holy remnant will endure within her, or according to Aquila’s interpretation, that it shall be her sprout, the translators of the Septuagint do not contain this, but Origen included it from the Hebrew text and Theodotion’s version. It is noted in the Church’s writings that when the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in, then all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25-26), and in this, the Lord’s declaration will come to pass: I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal (Deuteronomy 32:39).

Notes: * See Matt. 13:14; Acts 28:26. Also with their eyes they look, and see not (Mk. 4:12); They do not see (Lk. 8:10). In the original, the author gives the quotation: Videntes uidebitis et non uidebitis according to Matthew. Isaiah 6:9 Jerome translates: Videte visionem et nolite cognoscere.

To gain a clear comprehension of the proclamation about the “holy seed,” we must consider an event from the life of the Prophet. In Jerusalem, within or above the temple, Isaiah beheld the Lord enthroned on high, His glory filling the temple, surrounded by Seraphim whose powerful voices shook the doors and filled the space with smoke. Woe is me, cried the overwhelmed prophet, feeling doomed because he had seen the King, the Lord of hosts, and he confessed himself unclean, living among a people with unclean lips. Yet the Lord swiftly revealed His mercy by lifting up this humble servant. A Seraph took a burning coal from the heavenly altar and touched Isaiah's lips, declaring his sins purged. This transformative fire infused the Prophet's soul with boldness and fervor. “Whom shall I send?” the Lord inquired, “and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8), referring to the Jewish people whom Isaiah described as “unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5), symbolizing their defiled souls and lives. Empowered by the holy fire, Isaiah responded without fear, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). The Lord instructed him to tell the people that, despite hearing, they would not understand; despite seeing, they would not perceive; their hearts were hardened, and their ears dull, unable to turn back and receive healing. With compassion, the prophet questioned, “How long, O Lord?” (Isa. 6:11), seeking the duration of their waywardness and suffering. The Lord replied, “The cities shall be desolate, and the land shall be barren; a remnant shall remain, like the terebinth and oak, which endure despite having been cut down. ‘The seed shall remain holy.’”

When these prophetic words are compared to historical realities, their implications become clear. The Jewish people, entrenched in sin, ignore the prophets beckoning them toward repentance, faith, and salvation. As a result, they will face judgment, culminating in captivity in Babylon. Though they will return from exile in limited numbers, they will again suffer persecution during the Maccabees’ time. Nevertheless, this people will not cease to exist. Why? Because they possess a holy seed, preserved by God's providence.

What is this holy seed that safeguards a sinful and beleaguered nation? If we recall David's confession: “In iniquity I was conceived, and in sins my mother bore me” (Psalm 50:7), we realize this statement reflects the nature of all humanity. Thus, one might conclude that those born of fallen human nature contain no holy seed. But what holy seed did God reveal to the Prophet? Indeed, it is that which He promised to Adam, saying, “The seed of the woman shall crush your head” (Gen. 3:15); that which He bestowed upon Abraham, promising, “All nations of the earth shall be blessed because of your seed” (Gen. 22:18); that which He confirmed to David as the eternal King, declaring, “I will raise up your seed after you, and I will establish his kingdom forever; I will be his Father” (2 Sam. 7:12-14).

In summary, the only truly holy seed within humanity is our Lord Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Holy Virgin, to whom it is said in Scripture, “All His works were known from the beginning” (Acts 15:18), and whose watchful eyes have observed every unformed thing from eternity (Psalm 138:16). He has seen the countless generations of fallen Adam and has foreseen those who, while perhaps not worthy in every individual, still possess remnants of original goodness, resisting the contagion of sin, and open to grace. Ultimately, this seed would produce the Virgin Mary, the Mother of the God-man.

Thus, it became essential to preserve this lineage until it birthed the most exquisite bloom and perfect fruit of humanity, the Virgin Mary. And since this lineage was situated within the Hebrew nation, protective measures were warranted. Prophets were sent to illuminate this people above others, nurturing their faith and preventing their spiritual collapse. Furthermore, God intervened with miraculous deeds to shield them from enemies and misfortune, including leading them through the sea on dry ground, providing manna over forty years, and vanquishing the Assyrian army when King Hezekiah was unable to defend against their might.

Thus, the holy seed served as a bulwark and refuge for the Jewish people until, ultimately, “a rod arose out of the root of Jesse, and a branch grew out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). The Son of God was born of Jesse's daughter, walked the earth, taught, performed miracles, endured suffering, died, rose, ascended into heaven, sent the Holy Spirit, and achieved our salvation on earth. The divine plan was fulfilled, and it became unnecessary to continue preserving the Jews as previously required. Moreover, they themselves denied the holy seed by delivering Christ unto death. Consequently, they were defeated in recent times, stripped of their homeland, dispersed across the globe. If they still exist, it is to serve as a somber reminder of the holy and salvific seed that resided among them yet remained unrecognized, with the hope that this holy seed, having emerged from them, may restore their remnants.

What do those nations outside Israel think now? Does a sense of jealousy not arise: How blessed is the people tasked with nurturing the holy seed and being sustained by it! Rather than envious thoughts, let us offer thanks to God. He has chosen one nation to be the custodian of the holy seed — the lineage and birth of Christ — to bring about the salvation of all nations, which is inherently spiritual and eternal, yet spills over to enrich temporal existence. If those entrusted with the concealed holy seed of Christ, who came foreshadowed in promises, are joyful, how much more should we rejoice having received the abundantly revealed holy seed — Christ, acknowledged by faith? Are we not “begotten,” as the Apostle states, “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:23)? “Or do you not know,” asks another apostle, “that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disqualified?” (2 Cor. 13:5). “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). “Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). From Christ, His true Church has the assurance that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against her” (Mat. 16:18). It follows that it is natural for this great inimitable quality to be imparted also to the true Church — faithful and pure, gathered within an orthodox nation, flourishing in a pious kingdom under the protection of a divinely ordained monarch, to whom the word of God confers the title and dignity of the Lord's Anointed.

Thus, just as ancient Israel bore this truth, so too does the new Israel — the chosen people of God — this teaching holds relevance: “His seed is holy in his standing.” Therefore, beloved new Israel, do not cease to keep the holy seed alive within you, and it will preserve you. Let the seed of the word of God fill your minds, and let the seed of faith in Christ and love for Him flourish in your hearts, nourished by prayer and cultivated through actions. Let it manifest its power in your lives and good works. Christ, who dwells through faith within your hearts, building His Church in each and every one, will be to you a firm foundation, a protective fortress, your light and peace, your victorious weapon against every external assault from visible and invisible hostile forces. This is the truth, by the grace of the Lord; and if any doubt remains, it arises only from our failure to align ourselves with His grace, since, as the Apostle cautions us, “unless through what is not skillful” is to be regarded. Therefore, he urges, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).

If we reflect on how the Apostle exhorted the early Christians, whose faith flourished visibly and blossomed with spiritual gifts, such as healing, tongues, and prophecy, we recognize the complexity of the question he posed: “Are you in the faith?” For us, who have inherited the yeast of later generations, how much greater concern and caution must we possess in testing ourselves regarding our faith! Let us guard against the simplification of our belief; let us strive to cultivate a profound, steadfast, and vibrant faith rooted in love, obedient to God's commandments, purified from misguided thoughts and unrighteous actions, and poised for self-sacrifice for truth and justice. This is “our faith that has overcome the world” (1 Jn. 5:4), and must continue to do so until the entire Church, battling through time, transitions to the triumphant Church in eternity. Amen.