Isaiah 66:21

And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.

And I will also take {H3947} of them for priests {H3548} and for Levites {H3881}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

I will also take cohanim and L'vi'im from them," says ADONAI.

“And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.

And of them also will I take for priests and for Levites, saith Jehovah.

Isaiah 66:21 is a remarkable prophetic declaration found in the concluding chapter of the Book of Isaiah. It speaks to God's expansive and inclusive plan for the future, particularly concerning those who were traditionally outside the covenant community of Israel. The verse states, "And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD," signifying a radical shift in divine selection for sacred service.

Context

This verse appears at the very end of Isaiah, a book rich with prophecy concerning judgment, redemption, and the ultimate restoration of God's people and creation. Chapters 65 and 66 describe the new heavens and new earth, a time of profound transformation where God's glory is fully revealed. Prior to verse 21, Isaiah 66:18-20 speaks of God gathering all nations and tongues, bringing them to Jerusalem to witness His glory and offer sacrifices. This sets the stage for the astonishing promise that follows: not only will Gentiles come to worship, but some will be chosen for roles previously reserved exclusively for the descendants of Aaron (for priests) and the tribe of Levi (for Levites).

Key Themes

  • Divine Inclusivity: The most striking theme is God's boundless grace and willingness to incorporate people from "all nations" into His intimate service. This shatters the traditional ethnic and tribal barriers to the priesthood.
  • Universal Priesthood: This prophecy foreshadows the New Testament concept of a "royal priesthood", where all believers, regardless of their ethnic background, are called to offer spiritual sacrifices and serve God.
  • New Covenant Implications: The selection of Gentiles for priestly and Levitical roles points towards a future where the ceremonial law and the specific requirements of the Old Covenant priesthood are transcended. It hints at a new era where access to God is granted through faith, not lineage.
  • Restoration and Transformation: This promise is part of God's ultimate plan for restoration, where His kingdom extends to all corners of the earth, and His people are drawn from every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "take" here is laqach (לָקַח), which implies a deliberate act of selecting, choosing, or receiving. The terms "priests" (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim) and "Levites" (לְוִיִּם, levi'im) refer to the hereditary classes responsible for temple worship, sacrifices, and various forms of sacred service in ancient Israel. The KJV's use of "[and]" indicates that the original Hebrew simply lists "priests, Levites," implying both categories would be drawn from these formerly excluded groups.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 66:21 carries profound significance for understanding God's character and His redemptive plan. It reveals a God whose love and call extend beyond any single nation or group, demonstrating His desire for all humanity to participate in His worship and service. For believers today, this verse reinforces the truth that through Christ, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:14. We are all invited into God's family and called to serve Him with our lives, fulfilling a spiritual priesthood that offers praise and lives of devotion. It encourages us to embrace diversity within the church and to recognize that God uses all kinds of people for His purposes, calling them to sacred service.

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.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Exodus 19:6

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Revelation 1:6

    And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Isaiah 61:6

    But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • Revelation 5:10

    And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

  • Revelation 20:6

    Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

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