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Translation
King James Version
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And he shall cut down H5362 the thickets H5442 of the forest H3293 with iron H1270, and Lebanon H3844 shall fall H5307 by a mighty one H117.
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Complete Jewish Bible
He will hack down the forest underbrush with an axe, and the L'vanon in its splendor falls.
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Berean Standard Bible
He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.
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American Standard Version
And he will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
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World English Bible Messianic
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And he shall cut away the thicke places of the forest with yron, and Lebanon shall haue a mightie fall.
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Young's Literal Translation
And He hath gone round the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon by a mighty one falleth!
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In the KJVVerse 17,885 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Isaiah 10:34 serves as the powerful culmination of a prophetic oracle, vividly depicting God's decisive and overwhelming judgment upon the arrogant Assyrian Empire. Through the potent natural imagery of felling dense forests and the majestic cedars of Lebanon, the verse declares that no earthly power, however formidable, seemingly insurmountable, or deeply rooted, can withstand the divine will. It profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to humble the proud, and the certain, irresistible nature of His justice, ultimately demonstrating that even the mightiest human endeavors and symbols of strength are utterly subject to His ultimate decree.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Isaiah 10:34 stands as the climactic declaration within a larger prophetic section (Isaiah 10:5-34) that specifically targets the Assyrian Empire. This empire, though divinely appointed as God's "rod" to discipline unfaithful Israel, had become excessively proud, attributing its military successes to its own strength and wisdom rather than to God's sovereign plan, as detailed in Isaiah 10:7-11. The Lord's pronouncements in this chapter detail His intention to judge Assyria for its "haughty heart" and "lofty looks" (Isaiah 10:12). The immediate preceding verse, Isaiah 10:33, sets the stage by depicting the Lord "lopping the bough with terror" and "cutting down the high ones," establishing the metaphor of a great tree or forest being brought low, which Isaiah 10:34 then powerfully concludes with an image of total devastation.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: At the time of Isaiah's prophecy, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower in the ancient Near East, renowned for its military might, ruthless conquests, and vast territorial control, with its capital, Nineveh, serving as a formidable symbol of its power. The imagery of "the thickets of the forest" and "Lebanon" would have resonated deeply with Isaiah's audience. Lebanon, particularly its majestic cedar trees, was famous throughout the ancient world for its towering height, strength, and beauty, often symbolizing national pride, power, and even divine favor. The felling of such a forest or of Lebanon itself would signify the complete and utter destruction of a mighty, proud entity, making the judgment on Assyria particularly vivid and culturally impactful. The explicit mention of "iron" further emphasizes the unyielding, decisive, and irresistible nature of this divine intervention.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Judgment and Retribution, demonstrating God's active involvement in human history to bring justice upon nations and individuals who defy Him or succumb to pride. The "cutting down" and "falling" signify an irreversible and comprehensive destruction. Secondly, it underscores the Fall of the Proud, echoing the consistent biblical principle that pride precedes destruction, as seen in Proverbs 16:18. Assyria's arrogance, despite being God's instrument, leads to its inevitable downfall, serving as a timeless warning against human self-exaltation. Finally, and perhaps most profoundly, the verse proclaims God's Unchallengeable Sovereignty. The "mighty one" is unequivocally the Lord Himself, demonstrating that no earthly force, however vast or formidable—be it a dense forest or the majestic cedars of Lebanon—can stand against His decree. He is the ultimate power who brings down even the most entrenched and towering entities, asserting His supreme authority over all creation and human affairs.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • cut down (Hebrew, nâqaph', H5362): This verb (H5362) signifies to "strike with more or less violence," "beat," or "fell." It implies a forceful, decisive, and often violent act of destruction. In the context of trees or forests, it means to chop down completely, emphasizing the thoroughness and finality of the judgment. It is not a gentle pruning but a complete and destructive felling, indicating the utter eradication of the target.
  • iron (Hebrew, barzel', H1270): The term (H1270) refers to the metal iron, known for its hardness, strength, and ability to cut. As an implement, it suggests an ax or other tool used for decisive and unyielding cutting. Its presence here emphasizes the irresistible, unyielding, and destructive nature of the force being wielded by God. It is a tool of absolute power and efficiency in bringing about complete devastation.
  • mighty one (Hebrew, ʼaddîyr', H117): This adjective (H117) derives from a root meaning "to be wide" or "large," and figuratively, "powerful." It describes someone or something as excellent, famous, gallant, glorious, lordly, or supremely mighty. In this context, it unequivocally refers to God Himself, highlighting His immense, unparalleled power, supreme authority, and unchallenged supremacy in executing judgment. It underscores that the one bringing about this destruction is not merely strong but supremely powerful, majestic, and irresistible.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron": This clause introduces the divine agent ("he," referring to the Lord) and His method of judgment. "Thickets of the forest" represent dense, impenetrable, and seemingly unassailable entities, metaphorically standing for the vast, formidable, and seemingly invulnerable Assyrian army or empire. The "iron" signifies the unyielding, decisive, and destructive nature of God's judgment, implying a thorough and complete eradication, much like a powerful ax fells a dense, overgrown wood.
  • "and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one": This second clause reinforces and amplifies the imagery of the first, elevating the scale of the judgment. "Lebanon," renowned for its majestic cedar trees, symbolizes the peak of strength, beauty, national pride, and seemingly unshakeable power. Its "fall" signifies the complete humbling and utter collapse of what was considered invincible. The agent of this collapse is "a mighty one," which, in context, is God Himself, emphasizing His supreme, unchallengeable power and authority over all earthly forces, even those as grand and imposing as the towering cedars of Lebanon.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 10:34 is rich in Imagery and Metaphor. The "thickets of the forest" and "Lebanon" serve as powerful metaphors for the seemingly insurmountable strength, entrenched pride, and majestic grandeur of the Assyrian Empire. By depicting these natural strongholds as being "cut down" and "fall[ing]," the prophet vividly portrays the complete, utter, and irreversible destruction awaiting Assyria. The use of "iron" is a compelling Symbol of the unyielding, decisive, and irresistible nature of God's judgment, highlighting its thoroughness and finality. The entire verse functions as a powerful Hyperbole, exaggerating the scale of the natural world's most formidable elements to emphasize the overwhelming and absolute power of the divine judgment that can bring down even the most formidable entities. The Parallelism between the two clauses ("cut down the thickets... with iron" and "Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one") reinforces the message of comprehensive destruction through varied but complementary imagery, building intensity and certainty.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Isaiah 10:34 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power, however mighty or arrogant, can ultimately defy the Lord's will or escape His judgment. The judgment on Assyria, represented by the felling of Lebanon, foreshadows a consistent divine pattern throughout redemptive history: God uses nations for His purposes, but He also holds them accountable for their pride and wickedness. This passage underscores that God is not merely a passive observer but an active, decisive agent in the affairs of humanity, capable of humbling the loftiest and bringing down the most entrenched powers. This divine prerogative to judge the proud and exalt the humble is a foundational theme, pointing to the ultimate triumph of God's righteous kingdom and His unchallengeable rule.

  • Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
  • Daniel 4:37 - "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
  • Revelation 18:2 - "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird."

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Isaiah 10:34 offers timeless truths that resonate deeply with believers today, calling us to a posture of profound humility and unwavering trust in God's ultimate control. In a world where powerful nations, oppressive systems, and seemingly insurmountable challenges often appear unassailable, this verse reassures us that God remains sovereign on His throne, actively governing all things. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any seeds of pride, whether in our achievements, our resources, our intellect, or our perceived strength, reminding us that true security, lasting peace, and genuine flourishing are found only in humble submission to the Lord. Furthermore, for those who experience oppression or injustice at the hands of arrogant powers, this prophecy provides profound hope: divine justice will ultimately prevail. God sees the arrogance of the proud, and He acts decisively to bring them down and to establish His righteous order. It encourages us to pray for humility among leaders, to stand firm in faith, and to trust in God's perfect timing for the vindication of His people and the ultimate defeat of all evil.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be prone to pride, attributing success or strength to my own efforts rather than God's grace and provision?
  • How does the assurance of God's absolute sovereignty, as powerfully depicted in this verse, impact my fears or anxieties about seemingly overwhelming challenges or oppressive forces in the world today?
  • What practical steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of humility, dependence on God, and trust in His ultimate justice in my daily life?

FAQ

Who is the "mighty one" in Isaiah 10:34?

Answer: The "mighty one" (Hebrew: ʼaddîyr, H117) in Isaiah 10:34 unequivocally refers to the Lord God Himself. While the preceding verses describe Assyria as God's "rod" (Isaiah 10:5) and instrument of judgment, this verse marks a crucial turning point where God directly intervenes to execute judgment on Assyria for its excessive pride and self-exaltation. The imagery of cutting down the "thickets of the forest" and felling "Lebanon" by a "mighty one" highlights God's supreme, unmatched power and authority, demonstrating that He is the ultimate force capable of bringing down even the most formidable earthly empires and symbols of human strength.

What does "Lebanon" symbolize in this context?

Answer: In Isaiah 10:34, "Lebanon" symbolizes the pinnacle of strength, majesty, and pride. The ancient world knew Lebanon for its magnificent cedar trees, which were prized throughout the Near East for their towering height, durability, and majestic beauty. These cedars often represented national power, grandeur, and even spiritual arrogance or human self-sufficiency in biblical literature. Therefore, the "fall" of Lebanon signifies the complete and utter humbling and destruction of what was considered invincible—in this case, the seemingly unassailable Assyrian Empire, which had boasted in its own might rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty, as seen throughout Isaiah 10. It represents the downfall of any proud entity that exalts itself against God.

How does this prophecy of judgment on Assyria relate to modern times or general Christian theology?

Answer: While specifically addressing Assyria, Isaiah 10:34 contains timeless theological principles applicable to all generations and contexts. It serves as a universal warning against human pride, self-exaltation, and the abuse of power, reminding us that all earthly powers and human endeavors are ultimately subservient to God's sovereign will. The prophecy reinforces the truth that God is just and will ultimately bring down those who oppose Him or become arrogant in their strength. For believers, it offers profound reassurance that God is in control even amidst seemingly overwhelming global forces and injustices, and that His justice will ultimately prevail. It encourages humility, trust in divine providence, and a recognition that true power and authority belong to God alone, a theme echoed in the New Testament, such as in Luke 1:52 where Mary proclaims, "He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate."

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Isaiah 10:34, with its vivid portrayal of the "mighty one" bringing down the proud and powerful, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of God's judgment on Assyria, the broader prophetic sweep of Isaiah points to a coming King who would establish a righteous kingdom and execute perfect justice. Jesus, the true "mighty one" and "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), is the one who ultimately humbles all earthly pride and brings down all spiritual strongholds. His first coming, marked by humility and self-sacrifice, contrasts sharply with the arrogance of human power, yet it was through His seemingly weak crucifixion that He disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). His second coming will be as the King of kings and Lord of lords, wielding an "iron scepter" (Revelation 19:15) to judge the nations and finally bring down every "lofty look" and "haughty heart" that opposes His righteous reign (Isaiah 2:12). Thus, the judgment depicted in Isaiah 10:34 powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over all sin, pride, and opposition, establishing His eternal kingdom where only His sovereignty prevails.

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Commentary on Isaiah 10 verses 24–34

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

The prophet, in his preaching, distinguishes between the precious and the vile; for God in his providence, even in the same providence, does so. He speaks terror, in Sennacherib's invasion, to the hypocrites, who were the people of God's wrath, Isa 10:6. But here he speaks comfort to the sincere, who were the people of God's love. The judgment was sent for the sake of the former; the deliverance was wrought for the sake of the latter. Here we have,

I. An exhortation to God's people not to be frightened at this threatening calamity, nor to be put into any confusion or consternation by it. Let the sinners in Zion be afraid (Isa 33:14): but O my people, that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian, Isa 10:24. Note, It is against the mind and will of God that his people, whatever may happen, should give way to that fear which has torment and amazement. Those that dwell in Zion, where God dwells and where his people attend him, and are employed in his service, that are under the protection of the bulwarks that are round about Zion (Psa 48:13), need not be afraid of any enemy. Let their souls dwell at ease in God.

II. Considerations offered for the silencing of their fear.

1.The Assyrian shall do nothing against them but what God has appointed and determined. They are here told before hand what he shall do, that it may be no surprise to them: "He shall smite thee by the divine permission, but it shall be only with a rod to correct thee, not with a sword to wound and kill; nay, he shall but lift up his staff against thee, threaten thee, and frighten thee, and shake the rod at thee, after the manner of Egypt, as the Egyptians shook their staff against your fathers at the Red Sea, when they said, We will pursue, we will overtake (Exo 15:9), but could not reach to do them any hurt." Note, We should not be frightened at those enemies that can do no more than frighten us.

2.The storm shall soon blow over (Isa 10:25): Yet a very little while - a little, little while (so the word is), and the indignation shall cease, even my anger, which is the staff in their hand (Isa 10:5), so that when that ceases they are disarmed and disabled to do any further mischief. Note, God's anger against his people is but for a moment (Psa 30:5), and when that ceases, and is turned away from us, we need not fear the fury of any man, for it is impotent passion.

3.The enemy that threatens them shall himself be reckoned with. God's anger against his people shall cease in the destruction of their enemies; when he turns away his wrath from Israel he shall turn it against the Assyrian; and the rod with which he corrected his people shall not only be laid aside, but thrown into the fire. He lifted up his staff against Zion, but God shall stir up a scourge for him (Isa 10:26); he is a terror to God's people, but God will be a terror to him. The destroying angel shall be this scourge, which he can neither flee from nor contend with. The prophet, for the encouragement of God's people, quotes precedents, and puts them in mind of what God had done formerly against the enemies of his church, who were very strong and formidable, but were brought to ruin. The destruction of the Assyrian shall be, (1.) According to the slaughter of Midian (which was effected by an invisible power, but effected suddenly, and it was a total rout); and as, at the rock of Oreb, one of the princes of Midian, after the battle, was slain, so shall Sennacherib be in the temple of his god Nisroch, after the defeat of his forces, when he thinks the bitterness of death is past. Compare with this Psa 83:11, Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb; and see how God's promises and his people's prayers agree. (2.) As his rod was upon the sea, the Red Sea, as Moses' rod was upon that, to divide it first for the escape of Israel and then to close it again for the destruction of their pursuers, so shall his rod now be lifted up, after the manner of Egypt, for the deliverance of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Assyrian. Note, It is good to observe a resemblance between God's latter and former appearances for his people, and against his and their enemies.

4.They shall be wholly delivered from the power of the Assyrian, and from the fear of it, Isa 10:27. "They shall not only be eased of the Assyrian army, which is now quartered upon them and which is a grievous yoke and burden to them, but they shall no more pay that tribute to the king of Assyria which before this invasion he exacted from them (Kg2 18:14), shall be no longer at his service, nor lie at his mercy, as they have done; nor shall he ever again put the country under contribution." Some think it looks further, to the deliverance of the Jews out of their captivity in Babylon; and further yet, to the redemption of believers from the tyranny of sin and Satan. The yoke shall not only be taken away, but it shall be destroyed. The enemy shall no more recover his strength, to do the mischief he has done; and this because of the anointing, for their sakes who were partakers of the anointing. (1.) For Hezekiah's sake, who was the anointed of the Lord, who had been an active reformer, and was dear to God. (2.) For David's sake. This is particularly given as the reason why God would defend Jerusalem from Sennacherib (Isa 37:35), For my own sake, and for my servant David's sake. (3.) For his people Israel's sake, the good people among them that had received the unction of divine grace. (4.) For the sake of the Messiah, the Anointed of God, whom God had an eye to in all the deliverances of the Old Testament church, and hath still an eye to in all the favours he shows to his people. It is for his sake that the yoke is broken, and that we are made free indeed.

III. A description both of the terror of the enemy and the terror with which many were struck by it, and the folly of both exposed, Isa 10:28, to the end. Here observe,

1.How formidable the Assyrians were and how daring and threatening they affected to appear. Here is a particular description of the march of Sennacherib, what course he steered, what swift advances he made: He has come to Aiath, etc. "This and the other place he has made himself master of, and has met with no opposition." At Michmash he has laid up his carriages, as if he had no further occasion for his heavy artillery, so easily was every place he came to reduced; or the store-cities of Judah, which were fortified for that purpose, had now become his magazines. Some remarkable pass, and an important one, he had taken: They have gone over the passage.

2.How cowardly the men of Judah were, the degenerate seed of that lion's whelp. They were afraid; they fled upon the first alarm, and did not offer to make any head against the enemy. Their apostasy from God had dispirited them, so that one chased a thousand of them. Instead of a valiant shout, to animate one another, nothing was heard by lamentation, to discourage and weaken one another. And poor Anathoth, a priests' city, that should have been a pattern of courage, shrieks louder than any, Isa 10:30. With respect to those that gathered themselves together, it was not to fight, but to flee by consent, Isa 10:31. This is designed either, (1.) To show how fast the news of the enemy's progress flew through the kingdom: He has come to Aiath, says one; nay, says another, He has passed to Migron, etc. And yet, perhaps, it was not altogether so bad as common fame represented it. But we must watch against the fear, not only of evil things, but of evil tidings, which often make things worse than really they are, Psa 112:7. Or, (2.) To show what imminent danger Jerusalem was in, when its enemies made so many bold advances towards it and its friends could not make one bold stand to defend it. Note, The more daring the church's enemies are, and the more dastardly those are that should appear for her, the more will God be exalted in his own strength, when, notwithstanding this, he works deliverance for her.

3.How impotent his attempt upon Jerusalem shall be: he shall remain at Nob, whence he may see Mount Zion, and there he shall shake his hand against it, Isa 10:32. He shall threaten it, and that shall be all; it shall be safe, and shall set him at defiance. The daughter of Jerusalem, to be even with him, shall shake her head at him, Isa 37:22.

4.How fatal it would prove, in the issue, to himself. When he shakes his hand at Jerusalem, and is about to lay hands on it, then is God's time to appear against him; for Zion is the place of which God has said, This is my rest for ever; therefore those who threaten it affront God himself. Then the Lord shall lop the bough with terror and cut down the thickets of the forest, Isa 10:33, Isa 10:34. (1.) The pride of the enemy shall be humbled, the boughs that are lifted up on high shall be lopped off, the high and stately trees shall be hewn down; that is, the haughty shall be humbled. Those that lift up themselves in competition with God or opposition to him shall be abased. (2.) The power of the enemy shall be broken: The thickets of the forest he shall cut down. When the Assyrian soldiers were under their arms, and their spears erect, they looked like a forest, like Lebanon; but, when in one night they all became as dead corpses, the pikes were laid on the ground, and Lebanon was of a sudden cut down by a mighty one, by the destroying angel, who in a little time slew so many thousands of them: and, if this shall be the exit of that proud invader, let not God's people be afraid of him. Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die?

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–34. Public domain.
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Eusebius of CaesareaAD 339
PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 8:4
In this instance the birth of Christ from the seed of Jesse and David is joined with the destruction of Lebanon and the call of the Gentiles.
Eusebius of CaesareaAD 339
PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 2:3
In this instance Lebanon means Jerusalem … which the Word warns will fall with all of the men of greatness and glory.
Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 3:15
[God spoke] of the branches (thickets), not the root. When the measure of the people’s sins was complete, John came and took up the roots of their trees. “For the ax is laid to the roots of the trees,” [the roots] which Isaiah had left [untouched]. When will this be, if not at the rising forth of the true One, who was designated by the [image of] the staff and the shoot, and upon whom rests the Spirit, who is referred to as being sevenfold.
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 28 and following) He will come to Aiath, he will pass through Migron: at Machmas he will deposit his baggage. They went with haste to Geba, our city (or as we find elsewhere written: they stayed at the lodging place); Ramah was astonished, Gibeah of Saul fled. Cry out with your voice, daughter of Gallim; listen, Laishah, poor Anathoth: Medemena has taken flight; the inhabitants of Gebim, gather yourselves together. There is still a day, to stand at Nob: he will shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. LXX: For He will come into the city of Aggai, and will pass through Mageddo: and in Machmas He will set His vessels: and He will pass through the valley, and will come into Aggai. Fear shall seize Rama, the city of Saul: the daughter of Gallim shall flee: listen, O Laisa: there shall be heard in Anathot: Medemena will be astonished, and the inhabitants of Gebim. Comfort yourselves today along the way, that He may remain: comfort the mountain of the daughter of Zion, and the hill of Jerusalem. In this place, the LXX differs greatly from the Hebrew: for this reason, we have included both editions, so that, with the inspiration of Christ, we may express what seems to us in each. He is describing the prophetic speech of the Assyrian about his journey and return from Egypt to Jerusalem, and how he will come with great noise and speed to attack the city. And first, he says, he will come to Aiath, where, due to excessive haste, he will not want to stay and will pass through to Magron, and he will have such confidence in capturing the city that he will leave his luggage at Machmas, as if he will quickly return after the city is destroyed. After leaving his luggage, he will pass through quickly and will have a resting place in Geba, where he will stay for a short time to revive his tired army, and the nearby city of Ramah will be terrified, and the city of Gibeah, once the city of Saul, will flee. Then both Gallim's daughter, who is called Beth Gallim in Hebrew, will wail so loudly that you would think it is the neighing of horses. Therefore, oh Laisa, whether you are poor or obedient, or humble Anathoth (for it can be interpreted in three ways), pay close attention and declare the approaching onslaught, if you can; for the city of Medemena has already migrated from its dwelling places. But you who dwell in the hills, which are interpreted as Gebim, be reassured by the safety of your elevated location, that is, take up arms. So far, only the end of the day remained, as he stood in the small town of Nob, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. He waved his hand and shook it over Mount Zion, either looking down on it with disdain and contempt, or insulting and threatening it, and marveling that such a small city would dare to resist his power, with the entire East under his control. These things, according to the Hebrews, as they have been handed down to us, we have briefly described. Now let us present what the Ecclesiastical men of the Seventy have to say about this passage. When the yoke of Assyria, or as some wrongly believe, the Babylonians, is removed from your shoulders and corrupted, the Assyrian Sennacherib, fleeing with a few remnants, will come to Aggai, which is not found in Hebrew. And there will be such trembling of the fugitive that he will not dare to stay there, but will pass through to Mageddo, which is not mentioned in Scripture itself. And because he will not be able to flee more quickly burdened with his baggage, he will deposit his vessels in Machmas and swiftly pass through the valley, which the Hebrew language does not even mention; and he will come again to Aggai, which is mentioned twice in this place and is not found in Hebrew. At the sound of his flight, Rama, the city of Saul, will tremble, which is clearly false. For the city of Saul is called Gaba, as is stated in Hebrew. Then he will come to Gallim; Laisa will hear, Anathoth will hear, Medemena will tremble. But the inhabitants of Gebim and the hills, which are in Jerusalem, that is, the lofty and mighty men, will be stirred up to console Jerusalem: not long afterwards, but at present, and on the same day while the Assyrian is on the way; so they may remain in their places, and, disturbed by fear, in no way flee. This word for word. However, some in this place, when they cannot find false names according to the etymology of the Septuagint, nor can they find themselves in the book of Hebrew Names, send us to uncertainty, so that they say that in the end of the world and in the consummation of this age, with impending punishments, the great meaning, the prince of the Assyrians, will flee; and desiring to escape from the anger of God, they will travel through different places and various destinations. And when he flees, let the inhabitants of Gebim, that is, the lofty virtues, be urged by prophetic speech to console the one fleeing and to teach them not to flee but to stay on the path and await the mercy of God; and not only to console the one fleeing or to recall the daughter of Zion from mourning and to provoke her to the salvation of repentance, but also to be these hills in Jerusalem of which we read in the later part of this prophet: Comfort, comfort my people, says the priests; speak to the heart of Jerusalem (Isa. XL, 1). He said this because he was bound by the truth of the matter and had nothing else to say.

Behold the Lord of hosts will break the jar in terror, and the lofty stature will be cut down, and the exalted will be brought low, and the dense forests will be destroyed by the sword, and Lebanon with its heights will fall. Some people think that this passage is still speaking of the Assyrians, and that when they are crushed, all the nations around them that were subject to their rule will be cut down and humbled, and the dense forests will be destroyed. They understand this metaphorically as referring to the people and rulers. Moreover, even Lebanon with its lofty cedars can fall, so that no power of Assyria remains at all. But others want this place to be about Christ, especially since what follows, and we ourselves, and the Circumcision Scriptures, testify about him. Above, it was mentioned that the name of the child to be born of a Virgin would be called Emmanuel; and later the prophetess in her conception in the womb would proclaim, 'Hurry, plunder, hasten to prey' (Isa. 8:3), and he himself would be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to the two houses of Israel; his dominion would be on his shoulder, and he would be called by six names: Wonderful, Counselor, God, Strong, Father of the future age, and Prince of peace; and his empire would multiply, and there would be no end to peace. Now in the prologue of his coming, before it is said that he will be born of the descendants of Jesse and David, the passion of him is demonstrated through the symbol of the broken vessel: that, by the will of God, his flesh was handed over to death so that the pride of the Jews may be destroyed and those who were once lofty may fall to the ground; and Lebanon with its cedars may be cut down, of which we read in Zachariah: Open your gates, O Lebanon, and let fire devour your cedars; wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, because the noble have been devastated (Zach. XI, 1, 2). But that he is said to be contrite and struck by the Father, and that is indicated by this: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered (Zech. XIII, 7). And another testimony: For they have persecuted him whom you have struck (Ps. LXVIII, 2). The Hebrew word פורע (Phura), which Aquila has interpreted as κεραμεῖον, and Theodotion and Symmachus translated as ληνὸν, that is, winepress, which also signifies the Lord's Passion according to the inscription of three psalms, with the Lord himself saying in Isaiah: I have trodden the winepress alone, and no man of the nations was with me (Isa. LXIII, 3). However, they interpreted LXX as meaning 'for the wine press,' introducing a new sense.
JeromeAD 420
COMMENTARY ON ZECHARIAH 3:11.1-3
What Scripture once said cryptically, however, it now expresses more clearly: “for the glorious trees are ruined.” I want to know what is meant by the cedars of Lebanon that burned, the firs that wailed and the pines that fell. “The glorious trees,” it says, “are ruined.” “Wail, oaks of Bashan,” that is, of confusion and shame, for the thickest forest, which in Hebrew is called besor and is translated by the Septuagint as “densely wooded” [nemorosus], has been felled. In other words, wail because the temple, which had grown to unassailable strength, having been constructed by many different kings and rulers and later by Herod, was demolished by the invading Romans.Certain persons not familiar with this locale believe that Lebanon and the firs, pines and oaks, as well as Bashan and the dense or fortified forests, signify the competing powers of which Ezekiel had spoken under the names of Assyria and Pharaoh. “Behold, Assyria is a cedar in Lebanon, with strong branches and dense foliage, of great height, with its top reaching to the clouds; the waters nourished it and the abyss exalted it,” etc. They think that Assyria and the Pharaoh represent either competing powers or the proud or rulers, about which we read also in the psalms. “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon,” and in another place, “For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high,” and shortly further “against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up.” They claim that it was to this, the nation of Lebanon, that it was prophesied: “Lebanon with its majestic trees will fall.”
We, however, hold to the first interpretation, primarily because it corresponds with what follows: “The voice of the shepherds wails because their glory is ruined; the voice of the lions roars because the pride of Jordan is ruined.” According to the Septuagint’s translation, “The voice of the shepherds mourns because their glory has been made wretched; the voice of the lions roars because Jordan’s groaning is despondent.” The whole of the chapter is contained in these short verses. What the text once called cedars, firs, pines and the oaks of Bashan, what it called trees, as in “for the glorious trees are ruined,” it now, through the use of another metaphor, calls shepherds, that is, rulers and teachers. These, the leaders of the people, ought to weep and grieve because their glory and majesty and beauty are ruined and destroyed, clearly referring to the temple in which they gloried.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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