Isaiah 7:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The term “flies” he uses here refers to the Egyptians, alluding to their arrogance and shamelessness, as they persistently harassed the Israelites, offering no respite but instead continually causing them distress, akin to flies troubling an open wound. God indicates that He will bring them forth, but he does not merely state, “will bring them.” Instead, he declares, “will give them a sign,” signaling the ease of their encroachment and the invincibility of divine power, which can accomplish all things in an instant. The prophet wisely warns them in advance of such adversaries, whose assaults they had already faced.

“And the bee that is in the land of Assyria”—the plural form “bees” is noted in St. I. Zl. The texts in Syriac and Hebrew suggest the term used may actually refer to “wasps.” Since they had not yet encountered these enemies extensively, the prophet utilizes a comparison with this insect to evoke significant fear, conveying through the image of the wasp their potency, aggressiveness, vengefulness, severity of stings, swiftness of arrival, and the challenge of defense against them.

Consequently, Pharaoh claimed the kingdom of Judah, growing so powerful that he deposed Joachaz, Josiah’s son, who had been ruling, and took him captive to Egypt, appointing Eliakim as king instead, while imposing a heavy tribute on the people. Eliakim ruled over Judah for eleven years until his son Jehoiakim assumed power. Following him was Zedekiah, during whose reign Nebuchadnezzar waged war against Judah, ultimately setting the entire region ablaze, capturing Israel along with the sacred vessels, fulfilling all that is recounted in the holy texts (4 Kings 24:10 and following; cf. 2 Chron. 36:5 and following; also see 4 Sam. 23:29 and following; and 2 Chron. 35:20 and following). These historical occurrences illuminate the essence of the aforementioned words. Thus, it is foretold that in that day, meaning in that time, the Lord shall summon the flies from part of the river of Egypt, along with the bee from the land of Assyria. It is clear that this is metaphorical: the imagery is derived from beekeepers who, by whistling, entice flies (or bees) out from their hives into the fields, only to bring them back as if they were chicks, confining them within their nests. The Egyptians are likened to flies, presumably due to their multitude and the relatively subdued quality of their voice, while the people of Assyria are compared to bees for their colorful and ornate appearance, adorned with various embellishments. Similarly, the Assyrians and Persians are recognized for their attire and adornments: they favor ornamental clothing and place significant value on varied attire while being armed with sharp weapons. It is stated that all of them shall come, settling in the wilderness of the land, amidst the cracks in the stone, in caves, troughs, and every crevice, and upon every tree. Since the reference pertains to flies, it remains symbolic, denoting that they will scour the entire land to ensure none hiding—whether among rocks, in the wilderness, or in forest retreats—will escape detection. Furthermore, it may also signify that within those who harbor a grudge against the Almighty and continue to provoke Him, reside malice, hostile powers, and extraordinary passions reflective of their nature, making it impossible for anyone to guard against or rescue themselves from them. For if God permits calamities to befall us, who can offer assistance?

Consequently, they shall possess a portion of the Nile, which originates upstream among the Ethiopians and is primarily inhabited at its mouth where it meets the sea. In this locale, all quadrupeds, wild animals, creeping creatures, and birds are revered and worshipped. The Lord will eradicate these flies, the ineffectiveness of the opposing force, with His summons; with the breath of His mouth, He will annihilate them (cf. 2 Thess. 2:8). In the realm of Assyria lies the bee, a diminutive and frail creature whose life ends the moment it retaliates. It strikes with its sting but simultaneously meets its own death; it inflicts minimal harm upon its target while sacrificing its own life. This reflects the nature of those who are sarcastic and unyielding; their cunning often results in greater harm to themselves than to those they seek to injure.