King James Version

What Does Isaiah 66:20 Mean?

Isaiah 66:20 in the King James Version says “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, an... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 66 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. litters: or, coaches

Isaiah 66:20 · KJV


Context

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. litters: or, coaches

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The mission continues: "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." Multiple transportation modes—horses, chariots, litters, mules, swift beasts—emphasize the comprehensive ingathering from diverse nations. The "brethren" are brought as an "offering" (minchah)—like the grain offering, they're presented to God. "To my holy mountain Jerusalem" grounds this eschatologically. The comparison: "as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel"—the Gentile converts are ceremonially clean, acceptable offerings to God. From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies Gentile inclusion in the covenant. Paul calls Gentile converts his "offering" to God (Romans 15:16). The imagery emphasizes that Gentile believers are not second-class but fully acceptable offerings, presented to God through Christ's mediation. The church becomes the true Israel, incorporating both Jews and Gentiles into one acceptable sacrifice of praise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Judaism struggled with Gentile inclusion—Ezra and Nehemiah emphasized separation (Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 13:23-30). This prophecy looked beyond ethnic exclusivism to gospel inclusivism. The early church struggled similarly until the Spirit revealed that Gentiles are co-heirs (Acts 10-11, 15, Ephesians 2:11-22, 3:6). Paul's ministry brought Gentiles as acceptable offerings to God (Romans 15:16). Throughout church history, missionaries have brought converts from every nation into God's presence. Complete fulfillment comes when the full number of Gentiles is brought in (Romans 11:25) and the great multitude from all nations stands before God's throne (Revelation 7:9-10).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that Gentile converts are brought as an 'offering' to God?
  2. How does the imagery of 'clean vessels' address questions about Gentile acceptability?
  3. In what ways are we participating in bringing our 'brethren' from all nations to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
יָבִיאוּ֩1 of 29

And they shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם4 of 29

all your brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

מִכָּל5 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֣ם׀6 of 29

out of all nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הַמִּנְחָ֛ה7 of 29

an offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

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

בַּסּוּסִ֡ים9 of 29

upon horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

וּ֠בָרֶכֶב10 of 29

and in chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וּבַצַּבִּ֨ים11 of 29

and in litters

H6632

a species of lizard (probably as clinging fast)

וּבַפְּרָדִ֜ים12 of 29

and upon mules

H6505

a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits)

וּבַכִּרְכָּר֗וֹת13 of 29

and upon swift beasts

H3753

a dromedary (from its rapid motion as if dancing)

עַ֣ל14 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַ֥ר15 of 29

mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קָדְשִׁ֛י16 of 29

to my holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם17 of 29

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אָמַ֣ר18 of 29

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

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

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָבִיאוּ֩21 of 29

And they shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְנֵ֨י22 of 29

as the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל23 of 29

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת24 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּנְחָ֛ה25 of 29

an offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

בִּכְלִ֥י26 of 29

vessel

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

טָה֖וֹר27 of 29

in a clean

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

בֵּ֥ית28 of 29

into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָֽה׃29 of 29

of 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 66:20 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 66:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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