The interpretation timeline

Isa 43:18

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Patristic · 2 Jewish · 1 Catholic

Isa 43:18 · Douay-Rheims

“Remember not former things, and look not on things of old.”

Patristic before A.D. 750

420

A.D.

Jerome Patristic

c. A.D. 347–420

“(Verses 18-19) Do not remember the former things, and do not consider the ancient things. Behold, I am doing something new, now it will spring forth; will you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. LXX: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Therefore, I command you that among my signs and miracles, by which the most powerful city of Babylon was destroyed, and by which the way was opened for my people in the Red Sea and the Jordan river, you must not remember the past, for in the Gospel I am going to do much greater things; in comparison to which, the past should be forgotten. For I will no longer find a way in the Red Sea, but in the desert of the whole world. And not just one river or spring will burst forth from a rock, but many rivers that will refresh not bodies as before, but thirsty souls. And that which we read above will be fulfilled: You will drink the waters from the fountains of the Savior (On Chapter 12, Verse 3).”

Source

685 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet

Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500

1105

A.D.

Rashi Jewish

1040–1105

“Remember not the first events These miracles that I mention to you, that I performed in Egypt do not remember them from now on, for you shall be engaged in this redemption, to thank and to praise. do not meditate Do not ponder about them; do not pay attention to them.”

Source

1167

A.D.

Ibn Ezra Jewish

1089–1167

“Remember ye not by words, the former wonders. Neither consider them in your minds.”

Source

1274

A.D.

Thomas Aquinas Catholic

1225–1274

“Second, he promises much greater future benefits. First, he shows the greatness of his future benefits by comparison to the former ones: remember not former things, as if to say: they are not worthy to be kept in memory in comparison with future things: forgetting the things that are behind (Phil 3:13).”

Source

Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.