And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that 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 Gentiles.
And I will set {H7760} a sign {H226} among them, and I will send {H7971} those that escape {H6412} of them unto the nations {H1471}, to Tarshish {H8659}, Pul {H6322}, and Lud {H3865}, that draw {H4900} the bow {H7198}, to Tubal {H8422}, and Javan {H3120}, to the isles {H339} afar off {H7350}, that have not heard {H8085} my fame {H8088}, neither have seen {H7200} my glory {H3519}; and they shall declare {H5046} my glory {H3519} among the Gentiles {H1471}.
and I will give them a sign. I will send some of their survivors to the nations of Tarshish, Pul, Lud (these are archers), Tuval, Greece and more distant coasts, where they have neither heard of my fame nor seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory in these nations;
I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.
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.
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Isaiah 52:15
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider. -
Romans 15:21
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. -
Ezekiel 27:10
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness. -
Isaiah 55:5
Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. -
Isaiah 60:9
¶ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. -
1 Chronicles 16:24
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. -
Isaiah 62:10
¶ Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Context
Isaiah 66:19 stands near the conclusion of the Book of Isaiah, completing a prophetic vision that spans themes of judgment, restoration, and the ultimate glory of God. The preceding verses in chapter 66 speak of God's judgment upon the unfaithful and His comfort for those who tremble at His word. This verse then transitions to a magnificent future, where God's dominion extends beyond Israel to all nations. It is a glimpse into the eschatological age, often linked to the new heavens and new earth, where God's universal plan for redemption unfolds.
Meaning and Key Themes
This verse reveals God's sovereign intent to make His glory known throughout the entire world. After a period of divine judgment, God declares He will "set a sign among them" – likely a powerful demonstration of His presence or deliverance – and send a remnant of His people, "those that escape of them," to distant and diverse nations. These nations include Tarshish (often identified with Spain), Pul (possibly in North Africa), Lud (Lydia in Asia Minor), Tubal (in modern Turkey), and Javan (Greece), representing the far-flung "isles afar off." These are peoples who "have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory." The ultimate purpose of this divine mission is explicit: "and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles."
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "sign" ('oth) can signify a miraculous token, an emblem, or a distinguishing mark. In this context, it could refer to a powerful act of God's deliverance or judgment that serves as a visible proof of His power to the nations. The phrase "declare my glory" (Hebrew: nagad kavod) emphasizes the act of proclaiming or making known God's inherent weightiness, splendor, and majesty. It's not merely telling about Him, but revealing His intrinsic worth and magnificent character.
Cross-References and Connections
Isaiah 66:19 is a profound prophetic passage that anticipates the New Testament's emphasis on global evangelism. It finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations. The sending of witnesses to the ends of the earth is echoed in Acts 1:8, where the disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be God's witnesses. This vision of God's glory filling the earth is a consistent theme throughout scripture, as seen in Numbers 14:21 and Habakkuk 2:14.
Practical Application
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring heart for all humanity. It underscores that salvation and knowledge of Him are not exclusive to one group but are meant for every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. For believers today, Isaiah 66:19 is a foundational call to missions and personal evangelism. We are the "those that escape" who have experienced God's grace, and we are commissioned to "declare His glory" to those who have not yet heard. It encourages us to pray for and support the global spread of the Gospel, recognizing that we are participating in God's grand, universal plan for redemption.