Isaiah 66:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This articulation emphasizes that it is not just those who consume forbidden foods, but those who attempt to sanctify themselves among them while partaking in the same offenses, who are included in this condemnation. The divine message reproaches the Jewish people, especially the scribes and Pharisees, whom the Lord also criticized, stating: ‘You are justified before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God’ (Luke 16:15). Hence, He reproached them further saying: ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence’ (Matthew 23:25). And He continued: you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27), those who outwardly bless with their lips but inwardly betray their hearts (Psalm 61:5), who profess peace to God yet bear sharpened words akin to arrows (Psalm 54:22), as was rightly noted: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me’ (Isaiah 29:13).

God instructed through Moses that an individual who committed sin should be cleansed with the ashes of the red heifer and through various purification rituals, returning to the temple with offerings. However, the Jews neglected this, indulging instead in pleasures in sumptuous gardens, believing they could wash away their moral failings with mere water. The phrase ‘purify themselves from nocturnal debauchery’ aptly captures this notion. To clarify for those unashamed in disgraceful conduct, it is essential to highlight abominable actions: binding themselves in lust like dogs or engaged in shameful acts between men, they receive the consequences of their sins. Those who engage in such deeds willingly and defiantly resemble those who consume swine’s flesh and whatever else the law forbids (Leviticus 11), including the mouse, or what we might refer to as a rat. Hence, both those who partake in these actions and those who abstain—possibly even Gentiles—will ultimately face ruin. Allegorically, we can conclude that anyone who prioritizes pleasure over a love for God sanctifies themselves in worldly pursuits, for they cannot access the secrets of truth and partake in wickedness, lacking holiness in body and spirit, and they neither partake of the flesh of Jesus nor drink His blood—which He proclaims: ‘Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life’ (John 6:54). Our Passover is Christ, sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7), which is not to be consumed from outside, but rather within a single dwelling.

This warning could be applied to those among the Jews who, living in the presence of Gentiles, adopted the superstitions mentioned, but it is more fitting to view this condemnation as a reference to various iniquities. These transgressions render the very fervor of the Jews in observing ceremonial law unacceptable to God. While they distanced themselves from pagan superstitions and adhered to the rituals regarding sacrifices and food, they lived immorally, oppressed their neighbors, inflicted ruin and poverty through their greed, and subjected others to cruel treatment. Consequently, their sacrifices to the Lord were detestable to Him, akin to offerings made to idols, and their avoidance of unclean foods was offensive, as if they had consumed unclean animals. The lawless are compared to idol worshippers, much like the nobles and people of Judah are referred to as the rulers of Sodom and the nation of Gomorrah (Isaiah 1:15). The Lord's condemnation of the unrighteous who bring Him offerings is underscored further when He states, “The one who slaughters an ox is like the one who kills a man; the one who sacrifices a lamb, like the one who breaks a dog’s neck; the one who presents a grain offering, like swine’s blood” (Is. 66:3).