Chapter 66
66:1 Thus says the Lord: heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool: what is this house that you will build to me? And what is this place of my rest?
66:2 My hand made all these things, and all these things were made, says the Lord. But to whom shall I have respect, but to him that is poor and little, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my words?
66:3 He that sacrifices an ox, is as if he slew a man: he that kills a sheep in sacrifice, as if he should brain a dog: he that offers an oblation, as if he should offer swine’s blood; he that remembers incense, as if he should bless an idol. All these things have they chosen in their ways, and their soul is delighted in their abominations.
66:4 Wherefore I also will choose their mockeries, and will bring upon them the things they feared: because I called, and there was none that would answer; I have spoken, and they heard not; and they have done evil in my eyes, and have chosen the things that displease me.
66:5 Hear the word of the Lord, you that tremble at his word: your brethren that hate you, and cast you out for my name’s sake, have said: let the Lord be glorified, and we shall see in your joy: but they shall be confounded.
66:6 A voice of the people from the city, a voice from the temple, the voice of the Lord that renders recompense to his enemies.
66:7 Before she was in labor, she brought forth; before her time came to be delivered, she brought forth a man child.
66:8 Who has ever heard such a thing? And who has seen the like to this? Shall the earth bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be brought forth at once, because Zion has been in labor, and has brought forth her children?
66:9 Shall not I that make others to bring forth children, myself bring forth, says the Lord? Shall I, that give generation to others, be barren, says the Lord your God?
66:10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her.
66:11 That you may suck, and be filled with the breasts of her consolations: that you may milk out, and flow with delights, from the abundance of her glory.
66:12 For thus says the Lord: behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles, which you shall suck; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you.
66:13 As one whom the mother caresses, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
66:14 You shall see and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall be angry with his enemies.
66:15 For behold the Lord will come with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind, to render his wrath in indignation, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
66:16 For the Lord shall judge by fire, and by his sword unto all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
66:17 They that were sanctified, thought themselves clean in the gardens behind one woman within, they that did eat swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse: they shall be consumed together, says the Lord.
66:18 But I know their works, and their thoughts: I come that I may gather them together with all nations and tongues: and they shall come and shall see my glory.
66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send of them that shall be saved, to the Gentiles into the sea, into Africa, and Lydia them that draw the bow: into Italy, and Greece, to the islands afar off, to them that have not heard of me, and have not seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory to the Gentiles:
66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren out of all nations for a gift to the Lord, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and on mules, and in coaches, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, as if the children of Israel should bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
66:21 And I will take of them to be priests, and Levites, says the Lord.
66:22 For as the new heavens, and the new earth, which I will make to stand before me, says the Lord: so shall your seed stand, and your name.
66:23 And there shall be month after month, and sabbath after sabbath: and all flesh shall come to adore before my face, says the Lord.
66:24 And they shall go out, and see the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched: and they shall be a satisfying sight to all flesh.
1136 . Thus says the Lord . Here he determines the manner of execution of the sentence.
And first, in particular, as to the Jews;
second, universally, as to all: but I know their works, and their thoughts (Isa 66:18).
The first is divided into two parts:
in the first, he excludes false confidence;
second, he sets out and determines the sentence that has been given as to the manner of execution: hear the word of the Lord (Isa 66:5).
1137 . Concerning the first, he does two things.
First, he excludes false trust in the sanctity of the temple, showing that the temple is not the location of God:
both from the greatness of God, who fills all things, whose throne is said to be heaven , because it participates greatly in his goodness, as a seat holds the greater part of the one seated; the earth my footstool , because the earth participates least in his goodness, as the outer part of the seated person reaches to the footstool; or, by heaven , he indicates the saints, by earth , the earthly: if heaven, and the heavens of heavens, cannot contain you, how much less this house which I have built? (1 Kgs 8:27); do not I fill heaven and earth? (Jer 23:24); God dwells not in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24).
And from his rest, for each thing rests in the place which is its own; however, God does not rest in anything, but all things rest in him, as they are made by him: and what is this place of my rest , above: lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things (Isa 40:26). And he gives a useful remedy: but to whom shall I have respect, but to him that is poor and little , that is, the humble man, who reckons himself to be little, as to the present, and of a contrite spirit , concerning his past sins, and that trembles , as to his intention of doing future things: the eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him (Sir 15:20[19]).
1138 . Second, he excludes the confidence that they took from their rites of sacrifice.
And first, he sets out their rejection: he that sacrifices an ox, is as if he slew a man , as if to say: their sacrifices are so abominable, as if they were doing something against the law, because they were offering them to idols; as if he should bless , praise and venerate, an idol , above: offer sacrifice no more in vain (Isa 1:13).
Second, he shows the reason for their rejection,
first, setting out their fault: all these things have they chosen , namely, their sacrifices, walking in their wicked ways : who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in the most wicked things (Prov 2:14);
second, he threatens punishment: wherefore I also will choose their mockeries : he shall scorn the scorners (Prov 3:34); the fear which I feared, has come upon me: and that which I was afraid of, has befallen me (Job 3:25).
Third, he denounces the hardness of sinners: because I called : I called, and you refused (Prov 1:24).
1139 . Hear the word of the Lord . Here he describes the manner of execution of the sentence.
And first, as to the rewards of the good;
second, as to the punishments of the wicked: and the hand of the Lord shall be known (Isa 66:14).
The first of these is divided into two.
First, he stirs up attention: hear the word of the Lord, you that tremble , from reverence for his words: you that fear the Lord, believe him (Sir 2:8);
second, he describes the promise.
And first, as to vengeance on the mockers, setting out their mockery: your brethren have said: let the Lord be glorified , as if to say: let the glory of the Lord, which you await, appear, as if to say: he will never appear, above: they shall come with speed swiftly, and there is none that shall faint, nor labor among them (Isa 5:26–27); and he foretells their confusion: but they shall be confounded , in this manner, because a voice of the people , fearing, the voice of the Lord , as to the tumult of their enemies: the voice of the day of the Lord is bitter (Zeph 1:14).
1140 . Second, he describes the promise as to abundance of goods.
And first, as to the reuniting of the people, setting out the promise, before she was in labor, she brought forth ; that is, the children of Jerusalem will be gathered to her suddenly and at the same time, just as if a woman brought forth a child suddenly, without first being in labor, above: the children are come to the birth (Isa 37:3). Mystically, this is interpreted as concerning the labor of the Blessed Virgin, and the labor of the Church in the conversion of the faithful, and the labor of eternal begetting.
And he introduces the wondering question: who has ever heard such a thing , above: who has begotten these? (Isa 49:21). And he sets out the response in the person of the Lord: shall not I that make others to bring forth children, myself bring forth , gathering the Jews, or the converted faithful; or the Son, from eternity. Similar to this is Psalm 93[94]:9: he that planted the ear, shall he not hear? Or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider? And these arguments hold, if that which belongs to the perfection of creatures is attributed [to God], removing all that which belongs to imperfection.
1141 . Second, he promises immense comfort to the gathered Jews.
And first, he invites others to congratulation: rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her , as in the object of joy, setting out the condition of congratulation as to affection: all you that love her : eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved (Song 5:1); as to the sign of affection: all you that mourn for her : blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (Matt 5:5). And the fruit of congratulation as to participation in her gladness or peace: that you may suck : your breasts are better than wine (Song 1:1); as to participation in her glory, that you may milk out , as though extracting milk: then shall you abound in delights in the Almighty (Job 22:6).
1142 . Second, he promises an abundant gathering of peace: for thus says the Lord: behold I will bring upon her , so that an overflowing is called, as a river descending with great force comes and does not overflow; and of glory: and as an overflowing torrent , above: your peace had been as a river (Isa 48:18).
1143 . Third, he promises full reception of comfort.
First, as to the administration of the gentiles: which you shall suck , that is, the glory of the Gentiles , for the kings of the gentiles themselves will comfort and sustain you; thus follows: at the breasts . Mystically: this is said of the Apostles, who delighted in the glory of the gentiles who were swiftly converted, and who carried them as at the breast with caressing admonitions, above: you shall suck the milk of the Gentiles (Isa 60:16).
Second, as to divine protection: as one whom the mother caresses : you have forgotten the consolation (Heb 12:5).
Third, as to the enjoyment of goods, you shall see good things given to you by God; bones , you who in adversity were like dry bones: you dry bones, hear the word of the Lord (Ezek 37:4). Or you shall see the divine essence: the light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the sun (Eccl 11:7); and your bones shall flourish like an herb , in the resurrection.
1144 . And the hand of the Lord shall be known . Here he promises punishment to the wicked.
And first, he threatens punishment, setting out the indignation of the judge: the hand , afflicting the impious, in his servants ; or, the hand , of comfort, in his servants , by its effect, above: there is no indignation in me (Isa 27:4). And he sets out the magnitude of the punishment: for behold the Lord will come with fire , by which the city is to be burned, or by which the world is to be purified; and his chariots , the army of the Chaldeans, in which God comes, as it were, or the angels, who will come with him for judgment: a fire shall go before him (Ps 96[97]:3); they shall fall by the sword of God (Amos 9:10). And he sets out the multitude of those who are punished: the slain of the Lord shall be many , above: for there is a victim of the Lord in Bosra and a great slaughter in the land of Edom (Isa 34:6).
1145 . Second, he reproaches their fault: they that were sanctified , thinking to cleanse themselves of uncleanness by the waters, or even by the sacrifices of idols, in the gardens , in which they worshipped idols, or occupied themselves with pleasure; behind one woman , copulating with women in the manner of beasts, or behind the gate , in other manuscripts; the mouse , the dormouse, contrary to the law (Lev 11:29), above: that eat swine’s flesh, and profane broth (Isa 65:4).
1146 . But I . Here he describes the manner of separation as to everyone together.
And first, he decrees universal judgment: I know their works, and their thoughts , as though judging them for both; I come , in the day of judgment, or the various kingdoms of your enemies destroying also the wicked among you; they shall come , into Jerusalem after your return, either to judgment, or to faith: behold, I will raise them up out of the place wherein you have sold them (Joel 3:7).
1147 . Second, he sets out the summons to judgment: and I will set a sign , the edict of Cyrus, among them , that is, the Jews who were with Zorobabel and the other leaders; to the Gentiles , to the nations whom the Jews had been dispersed; Lydia them that draw the bow , for they are good archers; my glory , which will appear in your liberation, above: he shall set up a sign unto the nations (Isa 11:12). Or he sets the sign of the cross on the apostles, so that they might convert all nations to God, as though prepared for judgment.
1148 . Third, he sets out the preparation of those to be judged.
And first, as to the good;
second, as to the wicked: and they shall go out, and see (Isa 66:22).
The first of these is divided into two parts.
First, as to the Jews, he sets out their honorable return: and they shall bring all your brethren out upon horses , by which are signified the reinforcements they reverently received from the gentiles: the Lord will bring them to you (Bar 5:6); or by which are signified the various conditions of those who are converted to the faith, as the Gloss explains.
Second, the exaltation of their return,
first, as to their worthiness: and I will take of them to be priests , which was literally fulfilled in the Jews, and also in the apostles, above: you shall be called the priests of the Lord: to you it shall be said: you ministers of our God (Isa 61:6);
second, as to the preservation of their seed: for as the new heavens , as above, so shall your seed stand (Isa 65:17), forever: if these ordinances shall fail before me, says the Lord: then also the seed of Israel shall fail (Jer 31:36); or the saints will stand eternally renewed as heaven and earth;
third, as to the duration of their glory: and there shall be month after month , as if to say, month will follow month and feast will follow feast in your prosperity, above: year is added to year: the solemnities are at an end (Isa 29:1).
Mystically: the Church after the end, spiritual rest after carnal rest.
1149 . Second, as to the gentiles, and all flesh shall come , for from the various nations they came to Jerusalem to adore the Lord: all the nations shall come and adore before you, O Lord (Ps 85[86]:9); or in the day of judgment.
1150 . And they shall go out . Here he sets out the following judgment as to the wicked.
And first, the manifestation of the punishment: and they shall go out , coming to Jerusalem, and see , in the ancient sepulchers, and in the fields, the bones of their dead fathers, above: their slain shall be cast forth, and out of their carcasses shall rise a stink (Isa 34:3); or the saints will see the damned falling into damnation.
Second, he sets out the duration of the punishment: their worm , of conscience, by which they will be tortured even when they are dead, and their fire , of hell: he will give fire, and worms into their flesh (Jdt 16:21[17]).
Third, the delight from the punishments, as to those who see it: and they shall be a satisfying sight to all flesh , that is, to the saints: the just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge (Ps 57:11[58:10]).
From which punishments may he liberate us, who grants us to begin and to finish.
1151 . And thus ends the teaching and literal exposition on Isaiah according to Brother Thomas Aquinas, which Brother Jacob of Asti of the province of Lombardy, then a student in the studium generale of Naples, transcribed into legible script with completed citation of authorities. He also arranged the collations over the readings in particular places; and he did this for the use of the brothers of our Order and so that a copy might be had. Praise, therefore, be to him who grants us to begin and makes us to finish. Amen.
1152 . Here ends the treatise on the literal meaning of Isaiah of Brother Thomas Aquinas of the Order of Preachers with completed citation of authorities. Thanks be to God.