King James Version

What Does Isaiah 66:22 Mean?

Isaiah 66:22 in the King James Version says “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 66 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Isaiah 66:22 · KJV


Context

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.

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. from one new: Heb. from new moon to his new moon, and from sabbath to his sabbath

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God grounds His promises in His creative power: "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." The Hebrew hashamayim hachadashim veha'arets hachadashah (the new heavens and the new earth) explicitly references the final state described in Revelation 21:1. God promises to create (oseh—making/doing) something genuinely new. These will "remain" (omedim—stand/endure) perpetually before God. Similarly, believers' "seed" (descendants/spiritual posterity) and "name" (identity/reputation) will endure eternally. From a Reformed perspective, this reveals the eternal security of believers. Just as the new creation will never be destroyed, so believers' spiritual lineage and identity will never perish. This doesn't promise hereditary salvation but covenantal continuity—the church will never fail, the elect will certainly be saved and glorified, and God's people will exist eternally. The comparison to new creation emphasizes the absolute certainty and permanence of salvation—it's as secure as God's creative decree.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's history, threats existed to the nation's continuity—exile, dispersion, persecution. The promise of enduring seed and name provided hope. Ultimate fulfillment comes through the church—the spiritual Israel that will never be destroyed despite persecution (Matthew 16:18). Individual believers may fall away (demonstrating they were never truly saved, 1 John 2:19), but the church and the elect within it remain secure. The creation of new heavens and earth began spiritually at Christ's resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17) and will be consummated at His return (Revelation 21:1-5). Then God's people will inhabit the new creation eternally, their identity and posterity secured forever.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comparison to new creation emphasize the security of believers' salvation?
  2. What does it mean that our 'seed and name' will remain eternally?
  3. How should confidence in eternal security affect present faithfulness and perseverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּ֣י1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר2 of 17
H834

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

הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם3 of 17

heavens

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

הַחֲדָשָׁ֜ה4 of 17

For as the new

H2319

new

וְהָאָ֨רֶץ5 of 17

earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַחֲדָשָׁ֜ה6 of 17

For as the new

H2319

new

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 17
H834

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

אֲנִ֥י8 of 17
H589

i

עֹשֶׂ֛ה9 of 17

which I will make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יַעֲמֹ֥ד10 of 17

remain

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנַ֖י11 of 17

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

נְאֻם12 of 17

me saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה13 of 17

the LORD

H3068

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

כֵּ֛ן14 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יַעֲמֹ֥ד15 of 17

remain

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

זַרְעֲכֶ֖ם16 of 17

so shall your seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְשִׁמְכֶֽם׃17 of 17

and your name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character


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 66:22 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 66:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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