The interpretation timeline

Isa 17:8

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Patristic witness · 2 Jewish witnesses · 1 Catholic witness

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Patristic before A.D. 750
John of Damascus · A.D. 676–749 A.D. 749
“Those who trust in idols are foolish. Idols are their own creations, things they made with their own hands, but they turn around and say, "These idols are our creators." How can these people say that something they made is their creator? Moreover, they guard their idols, so that they will not be stolen by thieves. What foolishness! If idols cannot guard and protect themselves, how can they guard and save others?”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Isa 17:8 (BARLAAM AND JOSEPH 10) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
356 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500

The reader meets the sources first; chronology and attribution do the work. Provenance is shown on every quotation — solid for hosted public domain, dashed for link-out.