American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Isaiah 66
1
Thus said the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 8:27
Psalm 132:7
2 Chronicles 6:18
Matthew 24:2
References Lord
Acts 17:24
Psalm 11:4
1 Chronicles 28:2
Psalm 99:9
Malachi 1:11
2
For all those things has my hand made, and all those things have been, said the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 2:12
Proverbs 28:14
Psalm 119:120
Habakkuk 3:16
References Lord
Psalm 138:6
Spirit
Isaiah 57:15
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 51:17
Isaiah 61:1
Word
Isaiah 66:5
3
He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offers an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.
Reference
Light
Isaiah 65:12
Parallel theme
Isaiah 66:17
Deuteronomy 14:8
Deuteronomy 23:18
Judges 10:14
Sacrifice
Proverbs 15:8
Leviticus 2:2
Proverbs 21:27
4
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before my eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 10:24
2 Kings 21:2
2 Kings 21:6
Light
Isaiah 65:12
Parallel theme
Proverbs 1:24
Jeremiah 7:13
Psalm 81:12
5
Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at his word; Your brothers 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.
Reference
Song of Solomon 1:6
Glory
Luke 13:17
Parallel theme
Psalm 38:20
Matthew 10:22
Isaiah 5:19
John 9:34
1 John 3:13
Word
Isaiah 66:2
Proverbs 13:13
Jeremiah 36:16
6
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that renders recompense to his enemies.
7
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Reference
8
Who has heard such a thing? who has 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.
Reference
9
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? said the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? said your God.
Reference
10
Rejoice you with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her:
Reference
11
That you may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that you may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Reference
12
For thus said the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall you suck, you shall be borne on her sides, and be dandled on her knees.
Reference
Glory
Isaiah 61:6
Isaiah 66:11
Parallel theme
Isaiah 54:3
Peace
Isaiah 48:18
Isaiah 9:7
References Lord
Isaiah 45:14
Isaiah 60:16
13
As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 1:4
1 Thessalonians 2:7
Isaiah 51:3
Isaiah 40:1
References Jerusalem
Isaiah 66:10
Psalm 137:6
14
And when you 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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezra 7:9
Ezra 8:31
Ezra 8:22
Proverbs 3:8
Proverbs 17:22
Hebrews 10:27
Isaiah 10:5
Isaiah 26:19
References Lord
Zechariah 10:7
Isaiah 58:11
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 22:7
Psalm 11:6
Psalm 97:3
Psalm 50:3
Daniel 11:40
References Lord
Isaiah 30:33
Psalm 68:17
Psalm 21:9
Jeremiah 4:3
Amos 7:4
16
For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Reference
17
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the middle, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, said 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.
Reference
19
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them to 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.
Reference
📍 Locations
20
And they shall bring all your brothers for an offering to the LORD out of all nations on horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and on mules, and on swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, said the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Reference
21
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, said the LORD.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:9
Exodus 19:6
Revelation 1:6
1 Peter 2:5
Revelation 20:6
Revelation 5:10
References Lord
Isaiah 61:6
22
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, said the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Reference
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, said the LORD.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 46:6
Psalm 65:2
Zechariah 14:14
2 Kings 4:23
References Lord
Ezekiel 46:1
Malachi 1:11
Worship
Psalm 86:9
Zechariah 14:16
Revelation 15:4
John 4:23
Summary of Isaiah 66
Isaiah 66 concludes the book with a powerful combination of humility, true worship, judgment, restoration, and universal hope.
The chapter begins by reminding Israel that God cannot be contained within a building.
Heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool, and although the Temple is important, God is infinitely greater than any physical structure.
What God truly values is the person who is humble, brokenhearted, and obedient to His word.
Isaiah then strongly condemns religious hypocrisy.
People are performing sacrifices while continuing to practice evil, demonstrating that outward religious activity cannot replace genuine obedience.
God is not impressed by ceremonies performed by people who refuse to change their lives.
The chapter then turns toward those who sincerely follow God but are mocked or rejected by others.
God promises that these faithful people will ultimately be vindicated.
Zion, which has experienced suffering and devastation, is suddenly pictured as a mother giving birth.
The unusual image of a nation being born in a single day communicates the extraordinary speed and completeness of God's restoration.
Jerusalem will once again become a source of joy, comfort, nourishment, and peace.
God compares His care for Jerusalem to the tenderness of a mother comforting her child.
He promises peace like a river and the wealth of nations flowing toward the restored city.
The chapter then shifts dramatically toward judgment.
God comes with fire and the sword to judge those who persist in rebellion and false worship.
The judgment is not limited to Israel's enemies.
God examines the works and thoughts of all people and announces His intention to gather nations from different languages and distant regions so that they will see His glory.
This creates another major theme of the chapter: the restoration of God's people becomes a worldwide testimony.
Survivors will be sent to distant nations to proclaim God's fame, and people from many nations will participate in bringing the scattered people of God back to Jerusalem.
Even the priesthood imagery expands beyond traditional boundaries, suggesting a future in which people from the nations participate in serving God.
The final section returns to the extraordinary promise of a new heavens and a new earth.
God's restored creation will endure, His people will continue before Him, and people from all nations will come to worship Him.
The book ends with a solemn contrast.
Those who belong to God experience restoration, worship, peace, and enduring life, while those who persist in rebellion face judgment.
Isaiah therefore finishes not simply with the restoration of one nation but with a vision reaching toward universal recognition of God's glory and the renewal of creation.
The central message is that God is greater than any temple or religious ceremony and desires humble hearts and obedience rather than empty ritual; He will judge persistent rebellion, comfort and restore His suffering people, transform Jerusalem into a place of peace and joy, gather people from many nations to Himself, and ultimately create a renewed order in which His glory is recognized throughout the world and His faithful people endure before Him.
The chapter begins by reminding Israel that God cannot be contained within a building.
Heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool, and although the Temple is important, God is infinitely greater than any physical structure.
What God truly values is the person who is humble, brokenhearted, and obedient to His word.
Isaiah then strongly condemns religious hypocrisy.
People are performing sacrifices while continuing to practice evil, demonstrating that outward religious activity cannot replace genuine obedience.
God is not impressed by ceremonies performed by people who refuse to change their lives.
The chapter then turns toward those who sincerely follow God but are mocked or rejected by others.
God promises that these faithful people will ultimately be vindicated.
Zion, which has experienced suffering and devastation, is suddenly pictured as a mother giving birth.
The unusual image of a nation being born in a single day communicates the extraordinary speed and completeness of God's restoration.
Jerusalem will once again become a source of joy, comfort, nourishment, and peace.
God compares His care for Jerusalem to the tenderness of a mother comforting her child.
He promises peace like a river and the wealth of nations flowing toward the restored city.
The chapter then shifts dramatically toward judgment.
God comes with fire and the sword to judge those who persist in rebellion and false worship.
The judgment is not limited to Israel's enemies.
God examines the works and thoughts of all people and announces His intention to gather nations from different languages and distant regions so that they will see His glory.
This creates another major theme of the chapter: the restoration of God's people becomes a worldwide testimony.
Survivors will be sent to distant nations to proclaim God's fame, and people from many nations will participate in bringing the scattered people of God back to Jerusalem.
Even the priesthood imagery expands beyond traditional boundaries, suggesting a future in which people from the nations participate in serving God.
The final section returns to the extraordinary promise of a new heavens and a new earth.
God's restored creation will endure, His people will continue before Him, and people from all nations will come to worship Him.
The book ends with a solemn contrast.
Those who belong to God experience restoration, worship, peace, and enduring life, while those who persist in rebellion face judgment.
Isaiah therefore finishes not simply with the restoration of one nation but with a vision reaching toward universal recognition of God's glory and the renewal of creation.
The central message is that God is greater than any temple or religious ceremony and desires humble hearts and obedience rather than empty ritual; He will judge persistent rebellion, comfort and restore His suffering people, transform Jerusalem into a place of peace and joy, gather people from many nations to Himself, and ultimately create a renewed order in which His glory is recognized throughout the world and His faithful people endure before Him.