Isaiah66

Isaiah 66 opens with the LORD asserting His transcendence, declaring heaven His throne and earth His footstool, and stating His regard for the humble and contrite, not man-made temples. He condemns hypocritical worship and promises swift, miraculous restoration and comfort for Zion. The chapter concludes with a vision of fiery judgment for the wicked, the gathering of all nations to worship Him, and the eternal abhorrence for transgressors.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

God Rejects Hypocritical Worship

1
Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? ​
2
For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word. ​
3
He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine’s blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations: ​
4
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not. ​

Vindication for the Faithful

5
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame. ​
6
A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that rendereth recompense to his enemies. ​

The Sudden Restoration of Zion

7
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. ​
8
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. ​
9
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith Jehovah: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith thy God. ​
10
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her; ​
11
that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. ​
12
For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and ye shall suck thereof; ye shall be borne upon the side, and shall be dandled upon the knees. ​
13
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ​
14
And ye shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender grass: and the hand of Jehovah shall be known toward his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies. ​

The Lord's Fiery Judgment

15
For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire. ​
16
For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many. ​
17
They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together, saith Jehovah. ​

Gathering the Nations to Worship

18
For Iknowtheir works and their thoughts: the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory. ​
19
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. ​
20
And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Jehovah, as the children of Israel bring their oblation in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah. ​
21
And of them also will I take for priests and for Levites, saith Jehovah. ​

The Eternal State

22
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. ​
23
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah. ​
24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 66

Verse 1

God asserts his universal sovereignty, declaring that the cosmos is his true dwelling. This challenges the human tendency to limit the infinite God to a physical structure, emphasizing that He requires true devotion, not merely architecture.

Verse 2

God defines the true object of His attention: the person who is humble, spiritually broken ('contrite'), and respects God's authoritative word. This prioritizes internal spiritual state over external ritual performance.

Verse 3

This powerful condemnation uses shocking comparisons (ox-slaying equals murder; lamb-sacrifice equals a dog's neck) to show that rituals performed by the unrepentant are utterly abhorrent to God, demonstrating the profound failure of their hearts.

Verse 4

Since the people 'chose their own ways,' God responds with divine retribution, allowing their chosen rebellion to result in 'delusions' or calamities. This highlights the inevitable consequences of persistently rejecting God's call.

Verse 5

This addresses the persecuted remnant who were ostracized by their own brethren for their fidelity to God. The Lord promises that the faithful will be vindicated, while their mockers will face shame upon God’s sudden appearance.

Verse 6

The sound of judgment emanates directly from the city and the Temple, signifying that God’s recompense begins where the religious hypocrisy and persecution were most prevalent.

Verse 7

The imagery shifts to the sudden, miraculous birth of Zion’s population. Unlike normal labor, the delivery is instantaneous, symbolizing God's swift and effortless act of restoration and renewal.

Verse 8

The rhetorical questions emphasize the unprecedented nature of the rebirth: a nation born in a single day. This points toward a swift, eschatological fulfillment of Israel's restoration.

Verse 9

God affirms His commitment to completion: He starts the process of birth and will certainly bring it to fruition. The metaphor assures the people that God's promises of restoration are irreversible.

Verse 10

null

Verse 11

Jerusalem is personified as a nurturing mother, offering abundant peace and glory that satisfy her children like a nursing infant, symbolizing complete spiritual and physical nourishment.

Verse 12

The promise of peace flowing like a river and the glory of the Gentiles streaming in highlights the immense, continuous nature of the blessings and the inclusion of non-Israelites in Zion’s prosperity.

Verse 13

The comforting relationship between God and His people is likened to the deep, intimate solace a mother provides her child, emphasizing profound emotional and relational restoration.

Verse 14

The restoration results in physical and spiritual rejuvenation ('bones shall flourish like an herb'), making God's power visible to both servants and enemies.

Verse 15

The focus returns sharply to the judgment scene, depicting God arriving like a furious storm (fire and whirlwind) to execute justice upon the unrighteous.

Verse 16

God’s judgment is universal ('plead with all flesh') and decisive, using fire and sword, signifying the final, sweeping nature of the cleansing judgment required before the new creation.

Verse 17

This specifies the pagan practices that incur God’s wrath: ritual purification in gardens, coupled with eating forbidden foods (swine and mouse), signifying a complete devotion to idolatry and apostasy.

Verse 18

The scope of God’s redemptive plan expands beyond Israel; He will gather all nations to witness His glory, setting the stage for universal worship and inclusion.

Verse 19

After the judgment, survivors are sent as missionaries to distant, previously untouched nations (Tarshish, Pul, Lud) to declare God's fame, highlighting the outward-looking mission of the restored community.

Verse 20

The returning exiles are brought back by the Gentiles themselves, treating the returnees as a sacred offering to Jerusalem, fulfilling the promise of Gentile participation in Israel's restoration.

Verse 21

This radical promise announces that God will select some of the returning Gentiles to serve in priestly and Levitical roles, shattering the traditional ethnocentric boundaries of the covenant community.

Verse 22

The permanence of the new creation ('new heavens and the new earth') guarantees the eternal preservation of God's people and their covenant relationship, marking the ultimate culmination of prophetic hope.

Verse 23

This vision describes universal, perpetual worship, where all humanity participates in the established rhythms of sacred time (New Moon and Sabbath) before God in the new creation.

Verse 24

The book ends with the stark contrast between the redeemed and the eternally punished transgressors. The image of the undying worm and unquenched fire is a powerful metaphor for eternal judgment, later adopted by Jesus (Mark 9:48).

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options