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Isaiah 66

Isa 66, Is 66


Isaiah 66

1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

4 I 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 evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

11 That 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.

12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.



13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

19 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.

20 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.

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

22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And 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 the LORD.

24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases 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.

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Summary and the meaning of Isaiah Chapter 66 of the KJV Holy Bible

Isaiah Chapter 66, the final chapter of the Book of Isaiah, has a prophetic and eschatological significance and is filled with rich imagery and symbolism. The chapter is a profound expression of God's sovereignty, his judgment on the wicked, and his mercy towards the righteous. It is a culmination of the prophet Isaiah's message of hope and redemption for the people of Israel, as he foresees the restoration of Jerusalem and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

God's Sovereignty and the Futility of Idolatry

Chapter 66 begins with a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty. "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" (Isaiah 66:1) Through these words, God asserts that he cannot be contained within any man-made structure, challenging the human tendency to confine the divine in physical terms. This statement reinforces the futility of idolatry and the misguided attempts of humans to control or manipulate the divine through physical representations.

God's sovereignty is further emphasized in verse 2, where He declares that He values a humble and contrite spirit more than sacrifices and burnt offerings. This is a clear denouncement of empty religious rituals devoid of genuine faith and humility. In essence, God is communicating that what He truly desires is not ritualistic observance but a humble heart and a spirit contrite over sin.

God's Judgment and Mercy

The theme of God's judgment is pervasive in this chapter. The prophet Isaiah warns of the dire consequences that the wicked and the unrepentant will face. The graphic imagery of their punishment serves as a stark reminder of God's wrath against sin and disobedience.

However, interspersed with these warnings of judgment, are promises of mercy and restoration for those who turn to God. In verses 12-14, God promises peace and comfort to Jerusalem and its inhabitants, symbolizing the divine favor and blessing for the righteous. The maternal imagery used to depict Jerusalem's restoration underscores the nurturing and compassionate nature of God's mercy.

The Restoration of Jerusalem and the Final Judgment

The latter part of Isaiah 66 contains a prophetic vision of the restoration of Jerusalem and the final judgment. In this vision, Jerusalem is portrayed as a mother who comforts her children. The prophet sees a future where all nations will witness God's glory, a theme that resonates with the New Testament teachings of the Gospel being spread to all nations.

The chapter concludes with a graphic depiction of the final judgment, where the wicked will face eternal punishment. This serves as a solemn warning and a call to repentance. At the same time, it reassures the righteous of their ultimate vindication and reward.

The Symbolism of Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66 is rich in symbolism. The imagery of a mother in labor, used to describe Jerusalem, reflects the pain and struggle involved in the process of restoration. Yet, this painful process results in joy and relief, much like the joy of a mother at the birth of her child. This symbolism conveys the message that suffering and pain can lead to restoration and renewal.

The repeated use of maternal imagery underscores God's nurturing and compassionate nature. It also serves to humanize the divine, making God's love and mercy more relatable and tangible to the human experience.

The final verses of the chapter, depicting the final judgment, serve as a stark contrast to the preceding images of restoration and renewal. The imagery of the worm that does not die and the fire that is not quenched is a vivid and sobering depiction of the eternal punishment awaiting the wicked. This contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked serves to underscore the urgency of repentance and the importance of living righteously.

The Significance of Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66 serves as a fitting conclusion to the Book of Isaiah, encapsulating its central themes of God's sovereignty, judgment, mercy, and the hope of restoration. It reinforces the prophetic message of Isaiah, urging the people of Israel to turn away from their sinful ways and seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

Moreover, the chapter's eschatological vision of the restoration of Jerusalem and the final judgment has profound theological implications. It affirms the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over evil, providing hope and reassurance to the faithful. It also underscores the universal scope of God's plan of salvation, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to encompass all nations.

In conclusion, Isaiah 66 is a profound and nuanced exploration of God's relationship with humanity. It challenges us to reflect on our understanding of the divine, our spiritual commitments, and our moral choices. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, while also offering hope and reassurance of God's mercy and redemption. Above all, it affirms the enduring relevance of Isaiah's prophetic message for contemporary society and for our individual spiritual journeys.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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