Isaiah 9:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The blessings must ultimately serve a righteous purpose. Observe how God instructs us through the fear of retribution. Initially, He foretold the destiny of the Babylonians, then the Syrians, and the peoples of the western Greeks. It appears that through this, He aimed to reveal something significant: that His glory would shine across the entire earth, particularly among the Babylonians, who at that time ruled over numerous lands. This was so they might not claim victory for themselves, but recognize that it was God who empowered them to dominate various nations and Greeks from the western regions. But why is this so? Because they aim to consume Israel with insatiable greed. Notice that he ultimately seeks shelter from their power.

Listen to Him who strikes and makes whole. Who are these insubordinate ones? The Syrians from the east and the Greeks from the west. Antiochus, originating from Hellenistic lineage, invaded from Macedonia, which lies to the west, as Macedonia is indeed part of the west, especially when compared to the eastern lands. Thus, the Syrians and the residents of Damascus align with this description. When referring to the Greeks, who express their animosity toward Israel in every way, it is important to recognize that Antiochus cruelly attacked the Jews, inflicting immense suffering on them during the time of the Maccabees, whose valiant efforts and glorious triumphs were duly celebrated. Flavius Josephus documents these events in his historical account.

The adversaries in question are the Syrians and the Greeks, with one residing in the east and the other in the west. They will be dispersed because they have deceived Israel through their words. Here, the Prophet refers to the deceptive influence of speech, which ensnares the innocent who have faith in God. Despite all this, since the foes of the Lord and those suffering His discipline have failed to embrace true contrition, "the fury is not turned away, but the hand," meaning the judgment of God, is raised against those who do not repent of their evil and malice.

The prophecy indicates that the people will proclaim Israel with unanimous voices. The seer refers to Feglaffellasar and his coalition, who brought down the kingdom of Ephraim. Nevertheless, it is said, "But yet his hand is high," as God will send upon the Israelites a ruler like Salmanassar, akin to Theglaffellasar.

Syria will emerge from the east, and the Philistines, representing the Palestinians, will rise from the west to unite against Israel, consuming it together. Nevertheless, despite all these events, My hand remains extended over Israel and continues to strike it without pause.

The destiny awaiting the kingdom of Ephraim will also strike down the other adversaries of the kingdom of Judah and true worship of God. Through the Assyrians, the Lord will bring down Syria, whose ruler Rezin allied with the king of Israel against Judah, resulting in the dislocation of the people of Damascus (4 Kings 16:9). Concerning the Greeks threatening Judah from the west, it is challenging to ascertain which Greeks are referenced. In fact, it was the Philistines who resided to the west of Judah, as indicated in the Hebrew text and the Russian Synodal translation, not the Greeks.