Isaiah66
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest?
2For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.
3He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine’s blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations:
4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.
5Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame.
6A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.
8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith Jehovah: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith thy God.
10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her;
11that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and ye shall suck thereof; ye shall be borne upon the side, and shall be dandled upon the knees.
13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14And ye shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender grass: and the hand of Jehovah shall be known toward his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.
15For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many.
17They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together, saith Jehovah.
18For I know their works and their thoughts: the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory.
19And 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.
20And 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.
21And of them also will I take for priests and for Levites, saith Jehovah.
22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah.
24And they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 66.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God looks at the heart, and vengeance is threatened for guilt. (1-4). The increase of the church, when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered to the Redeemer. (5-14). Every enemy of the church shall be destroyed, and the final ruin of ungodly men shall be seen. (15-24).
vv1-4
The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own making, and temples of man's making; but he overlooks them, that he may look with favour to him who is poor in spirit and serious, self-abasing and self-denying; whose heart truly sorrows for sin: such a heart is a living temple for God. The sacrifice of the wicked is not only unacceptable, but a great offence to God. And he that now offers a sacrifice after the law, does in effect set aside Christ's sacrifice. He that burns incense, puts contempt upon the incense of Christ's intercession, and is as if he blessed an idol. Men shall be deceived by the vain confidences with which they deceive themselves. Unbelieving hearts, and unpurified consciences, need no more to make them miserable, than to have their own fears brought upon them. Whatever men put in the place of the priesthood, atonement, and intercession of Christ, will be found hateful to God.
vv5-14
The prophet turns to those that trembled at God's word, to comfort and encourage them. The Lord will appear, to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time. The word of God, especially his promises, and ordinances, are the consolations of the church. The true happiness of all Christians is increased by every convert brought to Christ. The gospel brings with it, wherever it is received in its power, such a river of peace, as will carry us to the ocean of boundless and endless bliss. Divine comforts reach the inward man; the joy of the Lord will be the strength of the believer. Both God's mercy and justice shall be manifested, and for ever magnified.
vv15-24
A prophetic declaration is given of the Lord's vengeance on all enemies of his church, especially that of all antichristian opposers of the gospel in the latter days. 19,20, set forth the abundance of means for conversion of sinners. These expressions are figurative, and express the plentiful and gracious helps for bringing God's elect home to Christ. All shall be welcome; and nothing shall be wanting for their assistance and encouragement. A gospel ministry shall be set up in the church; they would have solemn worship before the Lord. In the last verse the nature of the punishment of sinners in the world to come is represented. Then shall the righteous and wicked be separated. Our Saviour applies this to the everlasting misery and torment of impenitent sinners in the future state. To the honour of that free grace which thus distinguishes them, let the redeemed of the Lord, with humility, and not without holy trembling, sing triumphant songs. With this affecting representation of the opposite states of the righteous and wicked, characters which include the whole human race, Isaiah concludes his prophecies. May God grant, for Christ's sake, that our portion may be with those who fear and love his name, who cleave to his truths, and persevere in every good work, looking to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ the gracious invitation, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Key Words
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
כִּסֵּא: properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
בָּנָה: to build (literally and figuratively)
מָקוֹם: properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
מְנוּחָה: repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode
Cross References
Isaiah 66Stephen quotes verses 1-2 to show that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Solomon's proverb serves as a direct commentary on the abhorrence of formal sacrifices by wicked people.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels God sending strong delusion on those who chose their own ways and did not believe.
Supported by JFB
Solomon's dedication prayer recognizes that heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain God.
Supported by JFB
Christ's first beatitude on the poor in spirit directly aligns with God looking to the contrite.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels God's dwelling with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit.
Supported by JFB
Verbatim verbal parallel regarding God calling with no answer and speaking with no hearing.
Supported by JFB
Parallel scoffing challenge of persecutors asking God to hasten his work and be glorified.
Supported by JFB
John's vision of the woman travailing and bringing forth a man child echoes Zion's sudden birth.
Supported by JFB
Paul uses the metaphor of offering the Gentiles as an acceptable sacrifice to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfillment of the promise to take believers as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Earlier mention in Isaiah of the creation of the new heavens and new earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The final state where there is no physical temple, for the Lord is its temple.
Supported by JFB
Paul at Mars Hill declares that the Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Josiah's tender, contrite heart and trembling at God's words exemplifying this spiritual template.
Supported by JFB
Mosaic law classifying the dog as unclean, highlighting the gravity of the comparison.
Supported by JFB
God's early rejection of formal, hypocritical ritual sacrifices without heart obedience.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Christ warns of excommunication and killing by those who think they do God service.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel eschatological judgment of fire and plague upon those who fought against Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct parallel condemning those eating swine's flesh and abominable things in idolatrous gardens.
Supported by JFB