Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 66

Verse 1

Thus saith the LORD. See App-82 .

The heaven, &c . Quoted in Acts 7:49 . Compare 1 Kings 8:27 . 2 Chronicles 6:18 .

the = this. Hebrew. zeh .

ye: i.e. the future builders of the house.

the place of My rest: i.e. rest in satisfaction. The Temple was for sacrifice and atonement (2 Chronicles 2:6 ), not for dwelling. Compare Acts 7:48 .

Verse 2

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

poor = wretched, or lowly, Hebrew. 'ani. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

trembleth at = careth anxiously for. Compare Isaiah 66:5 .

Verse 3

cut off = breaketh.

oblation = gift, or meal offering. Hebrew. minchah .

swine's blood. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 14:8 . Leviticus 11:7 ). Compare Isaiah 65:4 .

burneth incense = maketh a memorial of frankincense. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:2 ). App-92 .

chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29 .

their soul = they. Note the Introversion beginning with the last clause of Isaiah 66:3 , and including Isaiah 66:4 , They delight, &c. I also will choose, &c. When I called, &c. When I spake, &c. They chose, &c. I delighted not.

Verse 4

did = have done.

Verse 6

A voice, &c. Compare Zechariah 12:3-6 ; Zechariah 14:3 . Compare Isaiah 42:14 .

rendereth recompence. Compare Isaiah 65:6 .

Verse 7

she brought forth. This is the birth of the new nation. These are the "birth pangs" (or "sorrows") of Matthew 24:8 . In Revelation 12:1 , Revelation 12:2 we have one part of the type in the person of Messiah. Here is the other part of the type

a man child = a male, as in Revelation 12:5 .

Verse 8

who. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and who".

a nation: i.e. the righteous nation of Isaiah 26:2 . Referred to in Isaiah 66:7 . Matthew 21:43 .

at once = at a stroke.

children = sons.

Verse 9

saith thy God. See note on Isaiah 1:11 .

Verse 10

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem. The promises, of Isaiah 1:27 ; Isaiah 2:1-5 , are now at length to be fulfilled.

mourn. As for one lost, or dead. See note on Isaiah 3:26 .

Verse 12

Gentiles = nations.

then shall ye suck. The promises of Isaiah 49:22 and Isaiah 60:4 are again renewed.

Verse 13

one = a man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

in Jerusalem. Not in the Church. Compare Isaiah 1:1 .

Verse 14

when ye see this = as soon as ye see this.

Verse 16

a11 flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all mankind.

Verse 17

gardens. Compare Isaiah 1:29 , and Isaiah 65:3 .

tree: i.e. the Asherah .

tree, &c. See notes on next page.

abomination. Hebrew. shakaz. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:2 ). Occurs in Isaiah only here; Leviticus thirteen times (Isaiah 7:2 ; Isaiah 11:9 , Isaiah 11:11 , Isaiah 11:11 , Isaiah 11:13 , Isaiah 11:13 , Isa 11:20 , Isa 11:23 , Isa 11:41 , Isa 11:42 , Isa 11:43 ; Isa 20:25 ); and Ezekiel 8:10 . Not the same word as in Isaiah 65:4 . App-92 .

mouse. Reference to Pentateuch, where it is forbidden (Leviticus 11:29 ). App-92 . Elsewhere, only in 1 Samuel 6:4 , 1 Samuel 6:6 , 1Sa 6:11 , 1 Samuel 6:18 .

be consumed = come to an end.

Verse 18

thoughts = devices.

I will gather. Compare Joel 3:2 .Zephaniah 3:8 .

sign. See note on Isaiah 7:11

send: as missionaries.

those that escape: i.e. the remnant of saved Israel

Tarshish. put for the far west.

Pul. Lud = Phut. Lud, put for African peoples. They are mentioned together, as serving in the Egyptian armies (Ezekiel 30:5 ).

Tubal = the Scythian tribes.

Javan . Put for the Greeks settled in Asia Minor.

isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

Verse 20

shall bring. Not into the Church, but back to the Holy Land.

an offering = a gift offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .

swift beasts: carriages, as required by the Structure of Isaiah 66:20 : q | horses. x | in chariots and litters. q | upon mules. r | in carriages. "Swift beasts" is Hebrew. kirkaroth , from karar, to move in a circle; hence, may mean (like English car) any vehicle on wheels. It is never used of animals. There is nothing to suggest " swaying furnaces", as suggested by some, to mean "locomotives".

holy. See note On Exodus 3:5 .

as = according as.

bring an offering, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:0 , &c.) App-92 .

Verse 21

them . i.e. Israel.

priests and for Levites. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:9 ). See notes on Ezekiel 43:19 ; Ezekiel 44:10 , Ezekiel 44:13 , Ezekiel 44:15 . App-92 .

priests. Thus completing the fulfilment of Exodus 19:6 .

and. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.

Verse 22

new heavens, &c. See note on Isaiah 65:17 .

Verse 23

new moon. sabbath. Reference to Pentateuch. and the law concerning them (Numbers 10:10 ; Numbers 28:11-15 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 81:3 , Psalms 81:4 .

before Me. Reference to Pentateuch, implying centralized worship, as in Exodus 20:3 , Exodus 20:5 .Deuteronomy 26:3 , Deuteronomy 26:5 . App-92 . Compare Isaiah 1:12 .

Verse 24

men. Hebrew, plural of 'Enosh. App-14 .

transgressed. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

their worm. Quoted in Mark 9:44 . Referred by our Lord to Gehenna, of which the fires in the valley of Hinnom were an illustration. Hebrew. tola', the maggot bred from putrid substances. See Exodus 16:20 . Deuteronomy 28:39 . Job 25:6 (second word). Psalms 22:6 . Psa 14:11 (second word); Isaiah 41:14 ; Isaiah 66:24 ; and Jonah 4:7 , which are all the occurrences of tola' in O.T. In the synagogue use, Isaiah 66:23 is repeated after Isaiah 66:24 , so that the book may end with comfort. Compare end of Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Malachi.

an abhorring. The Hebrew occurs only here.