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.