Isaiah 66:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The nations that rose up against Zerubbabel mirror those that opposed our Lord, in fulfillment of the prophet's words, as it is stated, The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and against His Anointed (Psalm 2:2). They will proclaim My glory among the Gentiles, which means they will go forth to share the wondrous deeds of God with the nations. This mission was carried out by the apostles.

Before elaborating on the significance of referencing so many nations, it is important to briefly address the variations in translation. Pharsis in Hebrew refers to the sea and is associated with a region in India. However, Josephus, having altered the term, suggests it refers instead to Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, which Jonah contemplated when fleeing from Joppa. Fud or Ful pertains to the Libyans and encompasses all of Africa extending to the Mauritanian Sea, where a river now bears the name Fud, and the surrounding region is known as Futskaia. Lud refers to the Lydians, whose descendants are the Etruscans, now termed Tuscans, and who were once adept at archery, hence referred to as bowmen. The Hebrew text indicates mosche seseth, a phrase uniformly translated apart from the Seventy, who opted for Μοσάχ, focusing on the name rather than the verb.

Accepting this interpretation points to the Cappadocians, with Mazaca as their principal city, later named Caesarea by Caesar Augustus. In Genesis, the last son of Aram, known as Damascus among the Syrians, is also rendered with a translation that aligns closely with more accurate terms. Atubal or Fauvel might indicate either Italy or Iberia, derived from the Ibera River, leading to the designation Celtiberia for the Spanish territory. Lucan aptly describes these peoples as Celts, linking the Gauls with the Iberians, thus giving rise to the term Gallo-Spaniards. The Greeks, referred to as Javans in Hebrew, signify the Ionians.

Attention should be drawn to the preponderance of eastern nations descended from Japheth, one of Noah's sons, although Pharsis and Fud also invoke the names of Shem and Ham, emphasizing the entirety of the world. Thus, the Lord advances to collect the deeds and thoughts of all individuals. This teaches us that both deeds and thoughts will be subject to judgment on the day of reckoning, as one who gazes upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart. Their thoughts will enclose them. On that day, the Lord will assess the hidden matters of men in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, confirming what the apostle articulates regarding how individuals will pass judgment on themselves by their own thoughts when God evaluates the concealed aspects of humanity.

All our thoughts will converge for examination by the righteous Judge, evaluating whether our conscience condemns us or absolves us from sin, culminating in an assessment of our misdeeds versus virtuous acts, whether they are of old or new origin, whether they have been erased through repentance or renewed in fresh transgressions. The Lord states, I will turn their ways upside down and will recompense them for their thoughts, for He formed their hearts and comprehends all their actions. It is written, You alone weigh the hearts of mankind. No one comprehends what resides in a person except for the spirit within them. Therefore, God declares through Jeremiah that He is not a distant God but a near one, asking if any man can hide in secret without My gaze upon him. Likewise, He pointedly addressed the scribes and Pharisees, indicating that while they may appear justified in man's eyes, God discerns their innermost hearts.

It should also be noted that the text does not specifically say: Father, contrary to the claims of heretics that might suggest the Son's exclusion; rather, it states: God, a title common to both Father and Son. As affirmed, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Son was with God from the very beginning. Concerning Him, John notes that Jesus did not commit Himself to them for He knew all men, and it is unnecessary for anyone to bear witness regarding humanity, for Jesus comprehended what lies within man. He was aware of their thoughts and their deceit.

To reaffirm this understanding, the epistle to the Hebrews elucidates that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. Nothing is hidden from Him, for all is laid bare before His eyes. When all thoughts are gathered, both condemning and vindicating us, then the nations and languages, along with their thoughts, will also be presented. Paul conveys that the tongues mentioned comprise not only human languages but also those of angels. This clarifies that all of creation will face judgment by the Lord, not solely the earth but also the heavens, as He declared, My sword will descend upon both heaven and earth. All shall come to witness the glory of God; He will mark them with the symbol foretold at the outset of Ezekiel, represented by the Hebrew letter tav. Whosoever bears this mark shall be protected from impending destruction.

This sign was similarly placed upon the doorposts of homes in Egypt, ensuring that Israel remained unharmed during Egypt's devastation. The prophet Isaiah noted this sign, pointing out that the Lord Himself would provide a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son. The prophet also implores for a sign of favor. In another writing, it is noted that a sign has been bestowed upon those who revere You, O Lord, that they may escape from destruction.

This significant sign was bestowed upon us by the Lord upon His ascension to the Father, allowing us to proclaim, The light of Thy countenance shines upon us, O Lord. The subsequent declaration that I will send forth those who are saved among the nations, combined with the enumeration of each, may initially appear to contradict the previous interpretations. If referenced concerning the day of judgment, it may also seem to revert to the initial coming of the Savior, noted by the command given to the apostles to go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

This tension is resolved by recognizing that the day of judgment is indeed foreshadowed, serving as a warning to embrace the coming of the Savior and the gospel mission entrusted to the apostles. It is beautifully stated, I will send those who are redeemed, for had the Lord not preserved a remnant, we would have echoed Sodom, compared to Gomorrah. The apostle affirms that a remnant shall be saved. They are dispatched to Pharsis, Fud, Lud, Mosoch, Tobel, Greece, and many islands far removed, to those who have not heard the Lord’s name nor seen His glory.

In terms of the historical context referred to earlier, we must now consider the deeper, mystical implications. Pharsis represents a pursuit of joy, drawing our attention towards the future. We are honored to hear, in little matters you have been faithful; enter into the joy of your Lord. The apostle Peter also encapsulates this experience in his message of unspeakable joy and glory, inspiring us to exclaim, Our mouth is filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing. Fud indicates the exclusion of blasphemy, urging us to speak positively and proclaim, My mouth shall declare Thy righteousness, O Lord, day after day, recounting Thy salvation. Again, I will not hide Your righteousness in my heart, but will openly share Your salvation.

Lud is translated as benefit in our tongue, and Mosoch signifies extension; Tubal addresses a state of sorrow or a conversion—all these notions align with the calling of the Gentiles, leading them to pursue good through the testimony of their hearts, forgetting the former things to aspire towards the future. Those who grieve for their past sins will also find transformation from sorrow to life, as blessed are those who weep, for they shall rejoice. May all turn to the Lord to receive His grace, understanding the apostle's claim that glory, honor, and peace await everyone who does good, first to the Jew and then to the Gentile. For God is indeed the God not only of the Jews but also of the Gentiles.

Lastly, when it is stated that the distant islands have neither heard My name nor seen My glory, it applies to those of whom it is said that they shall see, and those who have not heard shall understand. I appeared to those who did not seek Me and was found by those who did not ask of Me, proclaiming, I am here to those who have not called upon My name. The mention of islands could symbolize either the nations of the world in totality or the churches scattered throughout the globe.

However, the remainder will escape the wrath of the Jews, and these are the ones the Lord plans to send to speak to the various nations residing in different lands. In this passage, these nations are identified as follows: Pharsis in southern Spain, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River; Fud in southern Egypt, near the Ethiopian border; Lud, located in Ethiopia; Mosoch, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea; Fauvel, in southern Caucasus, near Armenia; and Hellas, which is Greece. To the people of these regions and the distant islands, particularly those of the Mediterranean Sea, who have not heard the name of the Lord or witnessed His glory, and who remain in pagan error, the glory of the Lord will be proclaimed. Through the preaching of the Apostles, they will learn to honor the name of the one true God.