Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

ISAIAH 56:6KJV
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Isaiah 56:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 56:6 mean?

Isaiah 56:6 says that even people from outside Israel—called "sons of the stranger"—who choose to join themselves to the LORD, serve Him, love His name, become His servants, keep the Sabbath, and hold firmly to His covenant, are welcomed by God. This verse shows that devotion to God and faithfulness to His ways matter more than ethnicity or background.

In this part of Isaiah, God is speaking through the prophet to the people of Israel, but He is also addressing foreigners who want to worship Him. The verse is part of a larger section where God promises blessings to all who are faithful, not just Israelites by birth. It highlights God's openness to anyone who sincerely commits to His covenant and ways.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 56:6

  • "sons of the stranger" (בְּנֵי הַנֵּכָר, benei hanekhar): The word "stranger" (נֵכָר, nekhar) refers to foreigners or non-Israelites. This shows that the invitation is open to those outside the ethnic boundaries of Israel.
  • "join" (לָוָה, lavah): This word means to attach or join closely. It emphasizes a deliberate, committed choice to become part of God's people.
  • "keepeth the sabbath" (שָׁמַר, shamar; שַׁבָּת, shabbat): "Shamar" means to guard or observe carefully, and "shabbat" is the Sabbath. The verse highlights the importance of honoring God's set-apart day as a sign of loyalty.
  • "taketh hold" (חָזַק, chazaq): This means to grasp firmly or cling to. It stresses a strong, intentional commitment to God's covenant (בְּרִית, berit).

Why Isaiah 56:6 matters

  • Isaiah 56:6 challenges the idea that only ethnic Israelites could belong to God’s people, showing that faithfulness and commitment are what God values most.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage where God promises a place for all who love and serve Him, setting the stage for a more inclusive vision of worship.
  • This verse helps clear up misunderstandings about who can approach God, emphasizing that anyone who sincerely seeks Him and keeps His covenant is welcome.

Where else these words appear

“join” Hebrew H3867 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
  • Esther 9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
  • Ecclesiastes 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

“stranger” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“serve” Hebrew H8334 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.