Isaiah 66:18

For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

For I know their works {H4639} and their thoughts {H4284}: it shall come {H935}, that I will gather {H6908} all nations {H1471} and tongues {H3956}; and they shall come {H935}, and see {H7200} my glory {H3519}.

"For I [know] their deeds and their thoughts. "[The time] is coming when I will gather together all nations and languages. They will come and see my glory,

“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory.

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.

Context of Isaiah 66:18

Isaiah 66 is the concluding chapter of the prophetic book of Isaiah, a grand finale that brings together themes of judgment, salvation, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This chapter contrasts the destiny of those who truly worship God with those who practice hypocritical religion. It speaks of a new heavens and a new earth, a renewed Jerusalem, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. Verse 18 specifically follows a declaration of God's impending judgment on the wicked, setting the stage for a dramatic, universal revelation of His power and glory.

Meaning of Isaiah 66:18

This verse delivers a powerful message about God's comprehensive knowledge, His sovereign plan for all humanity, and the ultimate display of His majesty:

  • "For I know their works and their thoughts": God declares His omniscience. He possesses complete and intimate knowledge (Hebrew: yada') of every human action and internal intention. Nothing is hidden from Him, whether open rebellion or secret plotting. This statement underscores His divine authority and justice.
  • "it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues": This is a profound prophetic statement about a future event. God Himself will initiate a worldwide gathering of peoples from every ethnicity and language group (Hebrew: goyim for nations, and leshonot for tongues). This gathering signifies a pivotal moment in divine history, often associated with the end times or the Messianic age.
  • "and they shall come, and see my glory": The ultimate purpose of this universal gathering is for all to witness God's awe-inspiring presence and majesty (Hebrew: kavod). This seeing of God's glory can encompass both a revelation of His righteous judgment upon the wicked and a display of His saving power and majesty to those who will worship Him. It points to a time when God's reign will be undeniably manifest to all the world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience and Justice: The verse begins by establishing God's perfect knowledge of human hearts and deeds, affirming His just basis for all future actions.
  • Universal Scope of God's Plan: God's redemptive and judicial plans are not limited to one people group but extend to "all nations and tongues," highlighting His global sovereignty and desire for all to acknowledge Him. This aligns with other prophecies of a future time when all nations will flow to the Lord's house.
  • The Revelation of God's Glory: The ultimate climax is the universal unveiling of God's glory, a moment of profound revelation that will leave no one untouched or unaware of His supreme power and majesty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "know" (yada') implies a deep, experiential, and intimate understanding, not just a superficial awareness. When God says He "knows" their works and thoughts, it speaks to His comprehensive discernment. The terms "nations" (goyim) and "tongues" (leshonot) emphasize the diversity of humanity and the truly global scale of God's ultimate plan, encompassing all ethnic and linguistic groups.

Practical Application

Isaiah 66:18 offers both a solemn warning and a glorious hope:

  • Accountability: The knowledge that God fully "knows our works and our thoughts" serves as a powerful reminder of divine accountability. It encourages believers to live with integrity, knowing that nothing is hidden from the all-seeing God, as also expressed in Psalm 139:2.
  • Hope for the Nations: This verse fuels the missionary impulse and the hope for global evangelism. It affirms that God's plan ultimately involves people from every corner of the earth coming to acknowledge His glory. This universal vision points to a future where God's kingdom will encompass all peoples.
  • Anticipation of God's Glory: For believers, it's a promise of a future day when God's glory will be fully revealed, bringing an end to all injustice and ushering in His perfect reign. It encourages patient endurance and steadfast faith in His ultimate victory.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 86:9

    All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

  • Revelation 11:15

    And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

  • Isaiah 2:2

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

  • Isaiah 37:28

    But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

  • Psalms 67:2

    That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

  • Isaiah 66:10

    Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

  • Revelation 2:9

    I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.

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