Isaiah 9:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They assert, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called from the assembly of heavenly beings: 'I will bestow peace upon the rulers and health unto Him.' His dominion is immense, and His peace is everlasting." Aquila states: "as a young man is born to us, and a Son is bestowed to us, His stature shall measure greatness, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; His peace is immeasurable." Symmachus also proclaims: "A youth shall be born unto us, and peace shall rest upon Him, and His name shall be called Marvelous, Counselor, Mighty, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; may His instruction abound, and of His peace there shall be no end." Theodotion likewise articulates this without deviation, stating marvellous names: Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; may His teaching multiply, and peace shall have no end. The Hebrew text confirms: "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; that His governance may increase, and of His reign there shall be no cessation." Thus, it is evident that St. Martyr Lucian neither modified nor omitted anything; rather, he gathered insights from Hebrew texts and other translations, organizing and presenting them. Therefore, Lucian’s translation, done by St. Lucian the Martyr of Antioch circa 300 A.D. during Diocletian's rule, is trustworthy and even holds greater significance than the Palestinian version.

Returning to our original discussion: on the throne of David and within his domain, to rectify and advocate in justice and righteousness from now into eternity; the zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall accomplish this. As the kingdom faced constant decay due to transgressions, He arrived through the birth of baptism to restore completeness. By justice and righteousness, He upheld it. How was David's kingdom established? By honoring Him who came from David, whose lineage is everlasting. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this, and not through the effort of unworthy men. This does not offend but highlights the steadfastness of His blessings. He offers both peace and the salvation of souls, along with the healing of bodies, for the origins of physical ailments stem from sin. Hence, (Christ) instructed the paralytic, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more" (John 5:14), and is echoed in "Ye shall have no ailments" (cf. Exodus 15:26). The initial consequences were found insufficient, prompting additional judgments to appear. Essentially, God decreed death as punishment for disobeying the command not to consume the forbidden fruit, imposing nothing beyond that. Due to humanity's transgression, the affliction of disease was self-inflicted, leading to death, despite life being originally intended to be free from suffering. However, to counteract slothfulness, God introduced the penalty of sickness to remind humanity of virtue. Such is God's providence; through limited ailments, He liberates mankind from numerous torments. Thus, God warns the Jews of various tribulations, illnesses, despair, and calamities to highlight that virtue is the foundation of all good. Now, due to their sinful lives, they are threatened with hell as retribution.

Isaiah's prophecy showcases this truth: "Angel of great counsel, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Ruler, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father." It is evident that such titles cannot merely refer to a human, as no one throughout history has been termed Mighty God and Prince of such a kingdom, as the prophet asserts that His kingdom endures forever. The evidence of Christ's peace has spread across the earth, the seas, and the universe, both populated and desolate, over the mountains, valleys, and heights, since the day He told His disciples, "My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, do I give unto you" (John 14:27). Why did Christ convey this? Because human peace is fragile and prone to disturbance, yet His peace is steadfast, unshakeable, eternal, and infinite.

The prophet also indicates that Christ came to redeem the people of Judah, highlighting, "On the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to reform it, and to defend it in righteousness and judgement, from henceforth even unto the ages of ages." Having already conveyed a profound message about Immanuel, the blessed prophet shifts back to the topic of the Incarnation, stating, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this." We must consider the meaning of this zeal and its intended target. The fallen serpent has ravaged the heavenly realms and has seized authority over humanity, created in God's image. Additionally, we see it in another light: the Israelites provoked Him not concerning false gods, as written (Deuteronomy 32:21), through their empty pursuits (1 Kings 16:2, 13), ultimately leading to the crucifixion of Immanuel. They were discontented with the Gentiles; Christ Himself declares, "They vex Me not about the gods, they vex Me in their idols: and I will vex them not about the heathen, but about the foolish heathen I will vex them" (Deut. 32:21; cf. Rom. 10:19).

"And of His peace there is no limit." The Lord says, "My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, I give unto you" (John 14:27). Thus, "of His peace there is no end," for it is a precious gift. Had He belonged to the world, His lifespan would have been merely a reflection of the world's existence. However, the one who receives and preserves His peace will endure forever, reaping the rewards of the eternal realm. The tranquility of Solomon was confined to a limited number of years, but the peace granted by the Lord spans all ages, being infinite and unbounded. For every creation shall yield to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty. In that time, "there shall be a God of all things in all" (1 Cor. 15:28), when those who rebel have been silenced, God will be praised in serene unity. "Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, fix it." With the declaration that "the prince of Judah and the ruler from his lineage shall not be lacking, until those that are set apart for him come" (Gen. 49:10), it is almost universally accepted that the Lord is of the lineage of David according to the flesh. Hence, He will reign "upon David's throne and upon his kingdom," that "Thou mayest correct and intercede for him in judgment and righteousness." It is written, "Thy judgements are as vast as the abyss, and thy righteousness as the mountains of God!" (Psalm 35:7). Therefore, His judgments are immeasurable, and His righteousness, surpassing in heights, is unsearchable. "The jealousy of the Lord of hosts shall do these things." He, who is zealous for us who are lost in ignorance, will take upon Himself the human race to redeem them into His kingdom. Thus, "the jealousy of the Lord of hosts," the God of Hosts, to whom every power is subject, "shall accomplish these things."

Those who read in the Psalms, “Ask of Me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalms 2:8), and again, “In His days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth” (Psalms 71:7), until the end of the age, will undoubtedly recognize the immense power and tranquility of the Savior. His kingdom and rule shall reign over the throne and realm of David, which faced destruction after the Babylonian exile, to restore and uphold it, affirming that this reign is everlasting, ensuring that God's promise does not come to naught, from the moment of the incarnation to the culmination of the age. The Lord's jealousy, which is essentially His contest, stemmed from their provocation through false deities; thus, He incited jealousy in return through a nation that was not His own (Deuteronomy 32:21). The prophecy regarding Immanuel and the child born of the virgin begins with the instruction given to Ahaz, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God,” and culminates with the declaration, “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.” Let us now move on to another topic.

Differing in nature yet unified in essence, He is complete in both His humanity and divinity. His humanity is unique to His nature, while His divinity is shared with us, yet He remains one perfect being in both.

In addition, the Father has not only sent the Son but also bestowed His own being, just as the Son has given Himself. For it is stated, Grace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins (Galatians 1:3-4). If one perceives His sending as a sign of subordination, it cannot be denied that His being given represents an act of grace. As Isaiah proclaimed: A child is born unto us; a Son is given unto us. He was given, I assert, by the Spirit, who also sent Him. The prophet did not specify who gave Him, indicating that His gifting was by the grace of the Holy Trinity. Since the Son gave Himself, He could not, by virtue of His divinity, be subordinate to Himself. Thus, His being given does not imply a hierarchy within the Divine.

Consequently, in calling the nations to the grace of His resurrection—being the rich and fertile soil that yields eternal fruit, thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold (Matt. 13:8)—He bore our burdens, condemning Himself to the cross to atone for our sins. Hence, the prophet declares, The dominion rests upon His shoulders, representing His divine authority over earthly suffering, or the triumph of the Cross over the flesh. As He undertook the yoke, patiently enduring all offenses, He placed the weight of these upon His shoulders, willingly submitting to suffering, afflicted for our transgressions, and weakened for our sins. The essence of generosity begins with Christ, who, though wealthy, willingly became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). The essence of patience begins with Christ, who, when reviled, did not retaliate (1 Pet. 2:23), and though struck, did not respond in kind. The essence of humility is found in Christ, who took on the nature of a servant (Phil. 2:7) while being equal to God the Father in majesty and might. From Him flows all virtue. Therefore, to teach us such virtues, the Son is given to us; the dominion rests upon His shoulders. This beginning is the Cross of the Lord, marking the commencement of the courage that paves the way for the holy martyrs in their sacred struggles.

A child is born to us, a Son given to us; His authority rests upon His shoulders, and He shall be called an angel of great counsel, bestowing peace to rulers, and offering salvation. His reign is vast, and His peace is everlasting upon the throne of David and throughout His kingdom. In the translation by Akilah, the promise is not attributed to man but points to He who is greater than all humanity. Akilah renders it thus: A child is born to us, a Son is given to us, and upon His shoulders is His dominion; His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, My Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His teaching is comprehensive, and His peace knows no end, upon the throne of David and throughout His kingdom. These prophecies unequivocally direct us to Christ. The fruits of divine authority cannot be ascribed to Solomon, David's son, whose end is well documented. Both the kingdom of Solomon and his earthly reign have concluded, as noted in the books of Kings (see 3 Sam. 11:43). Only Christ's kingdom is eternal (Lk. 1:33).

As a symbol of this spiritual edifice or temple, King Solomon constructed a sanctuary for the Lord in Jerusalem. Solomon, whose name translates to ‘peacemaker,’ reflects the one of whom the prophet sings: His dominion shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace. The apostle of the Church, who addressed the Gentiles, remarked: He preached peace to you, far and near, because through Him both have access to the Father, in one Spirit (Eph. 2:17-18). Furthermore, the fact that Solomon labored for seven years to build the temple and completed it in the eighth year illustrates that throughout the entirety of this age, represented by seven days, the Lord is constructing the heavenly temple from among the gathered believers. Then, in the life to come, at the manifestation of the resurrected glory, He will complete this construction and elevate it to the joy of everlasting life in the eternal vision of His brilliance, as He rose from the dead on the eighth day, after the Sabbath, which is the seventh day—signifying the time of our resurrection.

There is no doubt that Solomon, whose name means ‘peacemaker,’ embodies the one of whom Isaiah prophesied: His dominion shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end to peace. Hiram, a name meaning ‘living,’ symbolically represents those who have believed from among the Gentiles and who now share glory in life through faith. There is no objection to the idea that, as Hiram was a king who aided Solomon with royal authority in constructing the Lord’s house, he signifies the rulers who have converted to the faith. It is by their legacy that the Church often receives support and is nobly increased and fortified against heretics, schismatics, and pagans through state decrees. Therefore, Solomon reaches out to Hiram for assistance with the temple, just as the Lord, when He incarnated and intended to establish His beloved Church, chose helpers from both Jews and Gentiles alike, appointing ministers from both nations.

At His birth, He chose a time marked by great peace. It is clear that His incarnation was meant to bring humanity into the blessings of the highest realm. Consequently, the Lord entered the world to teach through the very circumstance of His birth that He is the One prophesied: His dominion shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end to the world. Thus, He initially addressed the times of this world and then—being the Creator and Master of time Himself—appeared in the flesh, first to the house of Jacob, that is, to the nation of Israel. He then opened the door of light to all nations who gathered to Him, proclaiming the joy of eternal peace. It is essential to recognize that the tranquility of this earthly existence at the birth of the King of Heaven not only testified to grace but also encouraged adherence to it, fostering the preachers of His word to traverse the globe and disseminate the grace of the Gospel wherever they went.

In contrast, Christ, a descendant of David in the flesh and heir to his royal lineage, is proclaimed, according to the Archangel Gabriel, as a King whose reign over the house of Jacob—His Church—will endure forever, as expressed in Luke 1:32-33. Therefore, His kingdom will perpetually possess peace, never losing its tranquil nature. Christ will not engage His adversaries with worldly weapons but will employ spiritual power until this kingdom is ultimately glorified, becoming a realm of undisturbed peace. Third, within Christ's kingdom, justice and truth will flourish. He, the Messiah, is appointed to establish His reign grounded in righteousness. As Scripture states, "He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear. But He will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth" (Isaiah 11:3). Particularly during His final judgment, He will reward everyone according to their deeds. This endeavor will be driven by the zeal of the Lord of Hosts, motivated by a passion for His glory and for the welfare of humanity. The concluding verses referenced earlier form a distinct passage that is traditionally read on Christmas Eve, as they herald the coming of the newborn Christ, the Child designated to be King, as depicted in this scripture.