Isaiah 66

Isa 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

Isa 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

Isa 66:3 But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;

Isa 66:4 so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame.

Isa 66:6 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve.

Rejoice with Jerusalem

Isa 66:7 “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son.

Isa 66:8 Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

Isa 66:9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

Isa 66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.

Isa 66:11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

Isa 66:12 For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.

Isa 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Isa 66:14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

Final Judgment and Glory of the Lord

Isa 66:15 See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Isa 66:16 For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD.

Isa 66:17 “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the LORD.

Isa 66:18 “And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

Isa 66:19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations.

Isa 66:20 And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the LORD. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the LORD in ceremonially clean vessels.

Isa 66:21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the LORD.

Isa 66:22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “so will your name and descendants endure.

Isa 66:23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD.

Isa 66:24 “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

1 The glorious God will be served in humble sincerity. 5 He comforteth the humble with the marvellous generation, 10 and with the gracious benefits of the church. 15 God’s severe judgments against the wicked. 19 The Gentiles shall have an holy church. 24 and see the damnation of the wicked.

Isa 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

1. My throne. Compare Ps. 11:4; 103:19; Matt. 5:34, 35; see on 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chron. 2:6; 6:18.

My footstool. See on Ps. 99:5.

Heaven and earth and all created things are the handiwork of God (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 8:3; 33:6, 9; John 1:3). God sustains the earth and the entire universe by His mighty power. He is not dependent for a place of residence upon any structure built by man. Such structures have their place, but apart from a humble, contrite, and obedient spirit on the part of those who worship there, they lose their significance (see on Isa. 57:15).

3. Killeth an ox. The Hebrew of this passage is very brief, and several interpretations are possible. There is no connective between the phrases; for example, the first unit reads, “the slaughterer of the ox the slayer of a man.”

The connective supplied by the KJV, “as if,” and that supplied by the RSV, “like,” are based on the reading of the LXX and the Targums. Translated in this way the meaning would be that without the corresponding spiritual experience the offerer of an ox would be no more pleasing in the sight of God than a murderer. The other combination of phrases would express similar comparisons.

It is possible, however, to supply the connective “is” thus, “He that slaughtereth an ox is a murderer,” etc. This gives the meaning that those who came to worship God with oxen, lambs, oblations (cereal offerings), incense, were at the same time committing murder and engaging in idolatrous rites (see ch. 65:3–7).

Their own ways. The thought in this verse is related to that in the following verse. As these people have chosen their own wicked ways, God will “choose” punishments for them suitable to their iniquities.

Yet in the severe treatment that came upon Judah the Lord had a wise and merciful purpose, as He did with the ten tribes. What He could not accomplish through them in their own land, He would accomplish by scattering them among their heathen neighbors (PK 292).

Isaiah turns from the wicked hypocrites to the righteous remnant. The lot of the latter has not been easy. They have been despised and persecuted by false brethren. The proud and self-righteous hypocrites have taunted them for their piety and devotion. But the prophet points out that the tables will be turned, that doom will be the lot of the mockers and joy and deliverance will be the lot of the righteous.

He shall appear. Literally, “we shall see.” According to the Masoretic reading this clause forms a part of the taunt: “Let the Lord be glorified and we will see your joy.” The translation “he shall appear” requires a change in the Hebrew. However, Dead Sea scroll 1QIsa clearly reads, “he shall appear.”

Isa 66:6 Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve.

6. A voice of noise. The prophet’s mind is projected forward to the time of the restoration. Isaiah envisions the city and the Temple restored and the Lord rising up to render recompense to the enemies of the new state (see on Isa. 59:16–18).

Isa 66:7 “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son.

Zion is personified as a travailing woman. The land of Israel, which had long been desolate (Eze. 38:8), would suddenly, with the return of the multitude of exiles, throb with new life.

8. In one day. It is a thing unheard of and incredible that a nation could come into existence so suddenly. If the Jews in exile had heeded the message of the prophets, the restoration would have been as dramatic and as glorious as here described.

Isa 66:9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

9. Not cause to bring forth. The seriousness of God’s purpose is here emphasized. Israel’s failure to fulfill the divine purpose was not due to any deficiency of divine grace. Nor will God permit the temporary failure of Israel to frustrate the “plan of the ages for the redemption of mankind” (PK 705, 706). The heavenly Jerusalem, “the mother of us all” (Gal. 4:26), will be populated by the nations of the saved (see on Isa. 54:1).

Isa 66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.

Compare chs. 57:18; 61:2, 3.

Isa 66:11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

Verses 11, 12 continue the picture of Jerusalem as the mother of the newly born nation. All the attentions of a devoted mother for her child are freely bestowed.

12. Peace. Or, “prosperity”, “success” (see on Isa. 57:19).

Like a river. See ch. 48:18.

Glory. Heb. kabod, here probably meaning “wealth”, as in chs. 10:3; 61:6. On the wealth of the Gentiles see on ch. 60:5.

Upon her sides. Compare ch. 60:4. In Oriental countries children are often carried on the mother’s hip.

Isa 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Compare ch. 49:15.

Isa 66:14 When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

14. Shall rejoice. Doubtless a reference to the taunt of the mockers referred to in ch. 65:5.

Bones shall flourish. In times of trouble bones are described as being “consumed” (Ps. 31:10; cf. Lam. 1:13), or in sickness as “burned with heat” (Job 30:30).

Toward his servants. The same contrast is expressed as in v. 5 (see comments there).

Isa 66:15 See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

15. The Lord will come. The true restoration of Israel would have meant death for the apostates and wicked. So the second coming of Christ will bring deliverance to the saints and death to the wicked (Rev. 19:19–21).

Isa 66:16 For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD.

The description in ch. 66, as that in ch. 65 (see on ch. 65:17), is in terms of what would have taken place if the Jews had chosen to fulfill the divine purpose. Hence the abominations here mentioned are specifically those of which the apostate Jews were guilty.

These apostates mingled heathen rites with the worship of Jehovah and then took a “I am holier than thou” (ch. 65:5) attitude toward their brethren. The reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh were strikingly characterized by such worship (2 Kings 16:10–16; 21:2–7). The consecration and purification ceremonies referred to were probably initiatory rites into heathen mysteries.

In the gardens. These gardens and groves were frequently the scene of cruel and immoral religious ceremonies. The Hebrews often followed the heathen in worshiping in such places (Isa. 1:29; 65:3, 4; cf. 1 Kings 14:23; 15:13; 2 Kings 16:3, 4; 17:9–11; 18:4), although they had been commanded by God to destroy them (Ex. 34:13; Deut. 7:5).

Behind one tree. The word “tree” is supplied. The reference may be to some abominable and revolting object of worship. The Heb. ’achad, “one,” is masculine in the common Hebrew text, but feminine in several manuscripts, among which are both Dead Sea scrolls of Isaiah. It remains uncertain to what the “one” refers.

Eating swine’s flesh. See on ch. 65:4. These people openly defied God by partaking of things that were particularly abominable to Him. Both the swine and the mouse are listed among the unclean animals the Hebrews were forbidden to eat (Lev. 11:2, 7, 29, 44). The Jewish apostates exulted in throwing off all restraints and pretended to sanctify themselves by the very things God had said would defile them and render them unfit for fellowship with Him. In their affectation of a superior sanctity they had sunk to the lowest depths of degradation.

Shall be consumed. Dead Sea scroll 1QIsa omits this verb, probably the result of a scribal error. The destruction has already been mentioned in vs. 15, 16.

Isa 66:18 “And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

See my glory. That is, a revelation of God’s character, here perhaps that aspect revealed in the destruction of the sinners.

Set a sign. Dead Sea scroll 1QIsa reads “set signs.” What this “sign” is or what these “signs” were is not disclosed. The phrase “set a sign” is probably parallel to “see my glory.” Having seen God’s “glory,” or “sign,” those who escaped destruction would declare to the nations what had been revealed to them concerning God.

Tarshish. Generally identified with Tartessus in Spain (see on Gen. 10:4).

Pul. This place is not definitely known, but it is thought to represent an African place or people. Some think Pul is a misspelling of Put (see on Eze. 27:10). However, Dead Sea scroll 1QIsa reads “Pul.”

Lud. A region in Mesopotamia or in Asia Minor (see on Gen. 10:13, 22).

Tubal. A Japhetic tribe living near the Black Sea (see on Eze. 38:2).

Javan. The usual Hebrew name for the Ionians, or Greeks (see on Gen. 10:2).

Isles. Or, “coastlands”. The places named represent far-off lands in general that had not before heard of the God of Israel, but were now to know Him through the preaching of the envoys.

The exiles still scattered abroad. In chariots. Here are listed the various types of transportation in use in the ancient East. By every available means men from every race and clime would make their way to Zion. My holy mountain Jerusalem. See on ch. 2:2–4.

In a clean vessel. In contrast to the “broth of abominable things” brought in vessels by a “rebellious people” (chs. 65:2, 4; 66:16, 17).

Isa 66:21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the LORD.

21. Priests and for Levites. At this stage in the restoration the ceremonial law would still have been in force (see on Eze. 40:1).

Isa 66:22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “so will your name and descendants endure.

22. The new heavens. See on ch. 65:17.

Isa 66:23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD.

23. One new moon to another. On the ritual of the new moon under Mosaic law see Num. 10:10; 28:11–14; cf. Amos 8:5. On the importance of the new moon in the time of Israel’s restoration see Eze. 46:1, 3.

One sabbath to another. The Sabbath is an eternal institution. It would have been rightly honored in the restored Jewish state, and in the new earth to come it will be observed by all (see DA 283). All will observe the Sabbath in eternal recognition of Christ as the Creator of the world in its Edenic bliss, and as the re-Creator of the new heavens and the new earth of righteousness and holiness.

24. Look upon the carcases. Better, “look upon the corpses.” This verse must be understood in the light of the principles outlined in comments on Isa. 65:17.

The language is further evidence that Isaia’s description is in terms of how the new heavens and earth would have been established if the nation of the Jews had accepted its divine destiny. Before the new earth of which John speaks (Rev. 21; 22) becomes the abode of the righteous and worshipers journey to the New Jerusalem, every trace of sin will have been removed and no dead bodies will remain to mar the perfection of that Eden restored (see 2 Peter 3:10). Hence Isaiah’s words must not be taken to apply directly to the future new earth state. Secondary application must be made in harmony with the statements of later inspired writers who have informed us how God’s eternal purposes will be accomplished through the Christian church (see pp. 37, 38).

Those who apply this verse to the eternal punishment of souls in an ever-burning hell do well to note that it is corpses that are being observed, not sentient, disembodied souls in torment. Such a misapplication of the prophecy also ignores the principles noted above.

Worm. Heb. tole‘ah, here probably the maggot. The same Hebrew word is used in Ex. 16:20; Job 25:6; Ps. 22:6; Isa. 14:11. The picture is that of maggots preying upon the dead bodies.

Shall not die. By the same misapplication noted above some have understood this expression as figuratively denoting endless life for the wicked. However, the expression in the Hebrew is a simple imperfect, a tense that denotes incomplete action and merely means that at the point of time under consideration the action of the verb is not yet complete. The tense does not necessarily imply that the action will never be completed. For example, the imperfect tense is employed in Gen. 2:25 in the statement concerning Adam and Eve that they “were not ashamed.” The statement was not a prediction that they would never be ashamed. That they later were ashamed is definitely implied in Gen. 3:7. A suggested translation of the Hebrew tense that conveys this shade of meaning is “their worm had not died yet.”

Quenched. The Hebrew tense here is the same as in the expression “their worm shall not die.” Hence the clause may be translated, “their fire has not yet been quenched” (see above under, “shall not die”). That the expression, “neither shall their fire be quenched,” does not mean fires that will burn forever is evident from the prediction in Jer. 17:27, where Jerusalem is threatened with such a conflagration. The fires were kindled (2 Chron. 36:19), but they have long since burned out. Unquenchable fires are simply fires that no one will, or can, quench. However, when they have consumed that upon which they prey they naturally go out.

The Bible thus clearly defines fires that shall not be “quenched.” It may further be observed that the Hebrew of Isa. 66:24 is poetic in form and that the expressions “their worm shall not die” and “neither shall their fire be quenched” are parallel. The meaning of the second expression, which is clearly defined, thus suggests the interpretation that ought to be given to the first.

On Jesus’ use and application of the words of Isa. 66:24 see on Mark 9:44.

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Updated on 5th Dec 2024

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