King James Version

What Does Isaiah 66:17 Mean?

Isaiah 66:17 in the King James Version says “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 66 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. behind: or, one after another”

Isaiah 66:17 · KJV

Context

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. behind: or, one after another

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.

Read Isaiah 66 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Specific sins are condemned: "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." The Hebrew describes syncretistic worship—self-sanctification rituals (mitqadshim umittaharim) in gardens (pagan sacred groves), following cultic leaders ("behind one tree/in the midst"), eating unclean foods (swine, mouse, abominable things). These practices mixed Yahwism with pagan fertility cults. The judgment: "consumed together" (yachad yasu'fu)—corporate destruction, not individual. "Saith the LORD" confirms certainty. From a Reformed perspective, this condemns religious syncretism and self-sanctification—attempting to make oneself holy through rituals rather than trusting God's provision. Self-sanctification always incorporates falsehood because unregenerate humans can't make themselves acceptable to God. True sanctification comes from God through Christ's work applied by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11, Hebrews 10:10, 14). Syncretism—mixing true worship with false religion—remains spiritually deadly, warranting divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These practices plagued Israel throughout their history—Canaanite fertility cult elements infiltrating worship (Judges 2:11-13, 1 Kings 14:23, 2 Kings 17:10, Jeremiah 2:20, Ezekiel 6:13). Despite reforms, syncretism persisted into the post-exilic period (Ezra 9:1-2, Nehemiah 13:23-27). The early church faced similar dangers—Judaizers adding law to grace (Galatians), Gnostics mixing Greek philosophy with Christianity (Colossians). The danger continues—cultural Christianity mixing biblical truth with worldly philosophy, prosperity gospel mixing mammon with God, nominalism mixing religious form with secular living. All syncretism faces divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What forms of religious syncretism threaten contemporary Christianity?
  2. How does self-sanctification (through rituals, works, disciplines) differ from Spirit-wrought sanctification?
  3. Why is God so severe in judging syncretistic worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הַמִּתְקַדְּשִׁ֨ים1 of 16

“They that sanctify”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וְהַמִּֽטַּהֲרִ֜ים2 of 16

“themselves and purify”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגַּנּ֗וֹת4 of 16

“themselves in the gardens”

H1593

a garden

אַחַ֤ר5 of 16

“behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אַחַד֙6 of 16

“one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ7 of 16

“tree in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

אֹֽכְלֵי֙8 of 16

“eating”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בְּשַׂ֣ר9 of 16

“flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

הַחֲזִ֔יר10 of 16

“swine's”

H2386

a hog (perhaps as penned)

וְהַשֶּׁ֖קֶץ11 of 16

“and the abomination”

H8263

filth, i.e., (figuratively and specifically) an idolatrous object

וְהָעַכְבָּ֑ר12 of 16

“and the mouse”

H5909

a mouse (as nibbling)

יַחְדָּ֥ו13 of 16

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

יָסֻ֖פוּ14 of 16

“shall be consumed”

H5486

to snatch away, i.e., terminate

נְאֻם15 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 66:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 66:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 65:3-4Deuteronomy 14:3-8Leviticus 11:2-8Isaiah 1:28-29

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 66 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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