Isaiah 66:20

KJV

And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall bring {H935} all your brethren {H251} for an offering {H4503} unto the LORD {H3068} out of all nations {H1471} upon horses {H5483}, and in chariots {H7393}, and in litters {H6632}, and upon mules {H6505}, and upon swift beasts {H3753}, to my holy {H6944} mountain {H2022} Jerusalem {H3389}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, as the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} bring {H935} an offering {H4503} in a clean {H2889} vessel {H3627} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they will bring all your kinsmen out of all the nations as an offering to ADONAI - on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules, on camels - to my holy mountain Yerushalayim," says ADONAI, "just as the people of Isra'el themselves bring their offerings in clean vessels to the house of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 66:20 presents a magnificent prophetic vision of future restoration and universal worship, depicting a time when God's people, gathered from every nation, will be brought as a consecrated offering to the Lord in Jerusalem. This grand ingathering, facilitated by various modes of transport, signifies a global dedication to God, mirroring the meticulous and pure offerings historically presented by the children of Israel in the temple. The verse underscores God's sovereign initiative in bringing about this ultimate, pure worship centered in His holy city, a testament to His expansive redemptive plan for all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 66 concludes the prophetic book of Isaiah, serving as a powerful crescendo to its overarching themes of judgment, restoration, and the ultimate glory of God's kingdom. The immediate preceding verses, [Isaiah 66:18-19](/isaiah/66-18-19 "Isaiah 66:18-19 - God Gathers All Nations"), speak of God's intention to gather "all nations and tongues" and to send survivors from His people to declare His glory among the Gentiles. Verse 20 directly follows this, detailing the *manner* in which these nations will participate in bringing God's scattered people back to Jerusalem. The subsequent verse, [Isaiah 66:21](/isaiah/66-21 "Isaiah 66:21 - Gentiles as Priests and Levites"), further clarifies the radical inclusivity of this ingathering, stating that God will even take some of these Gentiles to be priests and Levites. The chapter then culminates in a sweeping vision of new heavens and a new earth and perpetual worship in [Isaiah 66:22-24](/isaiah/66-22-24 "Isaiah 66:22-24 - New Heavens, New Earth, and Perpetual Worship"), making verse 20 a pivotal link between the global call to salvation and the eternal reality of God's kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Isaiah was primarily composed during a period of significant political and spiritual turmoil for the kingdom of Judah, marked by threats from powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon, culminating in the Babylonian exile. While many prophecies address the immediate historical horizon of exile and return, Isaiah's vision often extends far beyond, envisioning a future restoration that transcends the immediate circumstances. The concept of an "offering" (Hebrew: *minchâh*) was deeply embedded in Israelite culture, typically referring to bloodless grain offerings or tributes brought to the Temple as acts of worship, thanksgiving, or atonement. The mention of various modes of transport—horses, chariots, litters, mules, and swift beasts—reflects the common means of travel for long journeys in the ancient Near East, emphasizing the immense scale, earnestness, and diverse origins of this prophetic pilgrimage from distant lands. Jerusalem, referred to as "my holy mountain," was the established center of Israelite worship, the site of the Temple, and the symbolic dwelling place of the Lord.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 66:20 powerfully articulates several overarching themes found throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is **Universal Ingathering and Salvation**, where God's redemptive plan extends beyond the nation of Israel to encompass "all nations." This vision is foundational to understanding the breadth of God's love, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Nations"). This verse also highlights the **Restoration of Zion**, with Jerusalem serving as the divinely appointed focal point for this global pilgrimage and worship, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord"). The unique concept of "people as an offering" points to a profound **Consecration and Dedication of Lives** to God, moving beyond mere animal sacrifices to a living, human offering, foreshadowing the spiritual worship emphasized in the New Covenant. Furthermore, the repeated phrase "saith the LORD" underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment**, affirming that this grand vision is entirely God's initiative and will be brought to pass by His power, as seen in His promises for a [new heavens and new earth](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** H4503. This term, derived from an unused root meaning "to apportion" or "bestow," typically denotes a "donation," "tribute," or specifically a "sacrificial offering" that is usually bloodless and voluntary, such as a grain offering. Its highly significant and unusual application here to human beings ("all your brethren") being brought as an offering transforms the conventional understanding of an offering from material goods to consecrated lives. It underscores the deep dedication and intrinsic value of these individuals to God, suggesting a complete surrender and presentation of people for divine service and worship, rather than a literal sacrifice.
* **Nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** H1471. This word refers to a "foreign nation" or, by extension, a "Gentile." Its use here emphasizes the global scope of this prophecy, signifying that the ingathering will not be limited to the scattered tribes of Israel but will include people from all ethnic and national backgrounds. This highlights God's expansive redemptive plan for humanity and is crucial for understanding the universal nature of the future kingdom and worship.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭâhôwr'_):** H2889. This adjective describes something as "pure" in a physical, chemical, ceremonial, or moral sense. When applied to the "vessel" in which the offering is brought, it emphasizes the purity, reverence, and acceptability required for worship in God's presence. It suggests that the manner of bringing the offering, and by extension the lives of those being brought and those bringing them, must be sanctified and undefiled, reflecting the holiness of God Himself and the sacredness of the act of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations":** This opening clause sets the stage for a global pilgrimage of immense spiritual significance. "They" refers to the survivors sent to the nations (as mentioned in [Isaiah 66:19](/isaiah/66-19 "Isaiah 66:19 - God's Glory Among the Nations")), who will gather "your brethren"—primarily referring to the scattered Israelites in exile, but also implicitly encompassing those from other nations who have joined God's people in faith. These individuals are presented as a spiritual "offering" to Yahweh, signifying their dedication and consecration. The phrase "out of all nations" powerfully underscores the universal scope, indicating that this ingathering will draw people from every corner of the earth, transcending ethnic and geographical boundaries.
* **"upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD":** This section provides a vivid and majestic description of the diverse and earnest modes of transport used for this grand procession. The variety of conveyances—from majestic horses and chariots, symbolizing speed and prominence, to more humble mules and swift beasts—emphasizes the immense scale of the gathering and the dedication of those making the journey, indicating that no effort will be spared. The declared destination, "my holy mountain Jerusalem," reaffirms Zion as the divinely appointed, sacred center of this future worship and the focal point for God's global kingdom. The concluding declaration "saith the LORD" serves as a divine imprimatur, guaranteeing the certain fulfillment of this prophecy by God's own power and will.
* **"as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD":** This powerful simile provides a crucial interpretive key, bridging the prophetic vision with familiar Israelite worship practices. It compares the grand, global ingathering of people to the meticulous, ritualistic presentation of offerings by the Israelites in the Temple. The emphasis on "a clean vessel" highlights the purity, reverence, and acceptability of this future "human offering." It suggests that just as ancient offerings had to meet specific purity standards to be acceptable to God, so too will this future presentation of people be characterized by holiness and divine approval, brought into the very "house of the LORD," symbolizing direct access, intimate communion, and acceptable worship in God's presence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 66:20 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and dynamic picture of a grand procession from distant lands. The detailed enumeration of conveyances—"horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts"—evokes a strong sense of movement, diversity, and the sheer magnitude of the ingathering. This imagery contributes to the prophetic vision of a world united in worship and pilgrimage. The verse also employs powerful **Symbolism**. "My holy mountain Jerusalem" symbolizes God's dwelling place, the spiritual and physical center of His universal kingdom, and the ultimate focal point of future worship and divine presence. The "offering" of "brethren" is highly symbolic, transforming the traditional understanding of sacrifice from material goods (animals or grain) to consecrated human lives, representing a complete dedication and presentation of people to God. Most significantly, the verse utilizes a profound **Simile**: "as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD." This comparison elevates the global ingathering of people to the sacredness and purity of ancient Israelite temple worship, emphasizing that this future worship will be divinely acceptable, conducted with utmost reverence, and characterized by holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 66:20 profoundly expands the scope of God's redemptive plan, moving beyond a nationalistic focus on Israel to embrace a universal vision of salvation and worship. It reveals God's ultimate intention to gather people from "all nations" into His kingdom, transforming them into living offerings. This concept challenges the traditional understanding of sacrifice, suggesting that the most pleasing offering to God is not merely ritualistic, but the dedication of human lives in pure and holy worship. The verse thus prefigures the New Covenant emphasis on spiritual sacrifice and the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God, with Jerusalem remaining a symbolic, if not literal, center of divine activity and the ultimate destination for global worship.

* [Psalm 68:31](/psalm/68-31 "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.")
* [Zechariah 8:20-23](/zechariah/8-20-23 "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD.")
* [Romans 15:16](/romans/15-16 "Paul, a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God as a priest, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 66:20 offers a breathtaking vision of God's global heart and the ultimate destiny of humanity: to gather in pure, consecrated worship before Him. For believers today, this verse serves as both an assurance and a compelling call to action. It assures us that God's plan of salvation is expansive, reaching every tribe, tongue, and nation, and that His kingdom will ultimately encompass all peoples under His glorious reign. It calls us to actively participate in this divine mission, recognizing that our lives, and indeed the lives of those we reach with the Gospel, are meant to be living offerings presented to the Lord. This means actively engaging in missions, evangelism, and discipleship, helping to bring others into God's presence and family. Furthermore, the emphasis on "a clean vessel" reminds us of the paramount importance of personal holiness, integrity, and purity in our worship and service, ensuring that our lives are a pure and acceptable offering to the One who deserves all glory and honor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vision of "all nations" bringing people as an offering challenge or expand your understanding of God's redemptive plan and your role within it?**
* **In what practical ways can you, as an individual or as part of a faith community, "bring an offering in a clean vessel" in your daily life and corporate worship?**
* **Considering the global scope of this prophecy, what specific steps can you take to participate more fully in God's mission to gather people from all nations to Himself?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "brethren" mentioned in Isaiah 66:20, and how are they an "offering"?**

Answer: The "brethren" primarily refer to the scattered people of Israel, those in exile or dispersed among the nations, whom God promises to gather back to Jerusalem. However, in the broader context of [Isaiah 66:18-19](/isaiah/66-18-19 "Isaiah 66:18-19 - God Gathers All Nations"), which speaks of God gathering "all nations and tongues," and [Isaiah 66:21](/isaiah/66-21 "Isaiah 66:21 - Gentiles as Priests and Levites"), which mentions taking some of these Gentiles as "priests and Levites," the term can also encompass those from Gentile nations who have come to faith and are now part of God's spiritual family. They are considered an "offering" not in the sense of a literal sacrifice, but as a consecrated gift or tribute to the Lord. This signifies their dedication, their intrinsic value to God, and their inclusion in His worship and service. It represents a living, spiritual offering of people brought into relationship with God, rather than a material sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 66:20 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His New Covenant Church. The prophecy of a global ingathering, where people from "all nations" are brought as an "offering" to God's "holy mountain Jerusalem," is realized in the person and redemptive work of Christ. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice, making it possible for all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, to draw near to God. Through His death and resurrection, the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile was broken down, as described in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Breaking Down the Dividing Wall"), and the Church, composed of believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, became the spiritual "house of the LORD." Believers are now called "living stones" built into a spiritual house, as seen in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House"). The "brethren" brought as an offering are now those who are reconciled to God through Christ, presented as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God," as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice"), sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The "holy mountain Jerusalem" is spiritually fulfilled in the heavenly Jerusalem, the Church, where God dwells with His people, a vision beautifully depicted in [Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2-3 "Revelation 21:2-3 - The New Jerusalem Descends"). Thus, Isaiah's grand vision points to the reality of Christ's universal reign, where people from every corner of the earth are joyfully gathered into His kingdom, offering their lives in pure and acceptable worship through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 60:3

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Isaiah 60:14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:6

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Isaiah 11:9

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Romans 15:16

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Isaiah 65:11

¶ But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.