And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

ISAIAH 66:14KJV
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Isaiah 66:14 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:14 mean?

Isaiah 66:14 promises that when God’s people witness what He does, they will feel deep joy and renewed strength, while God’s favor will be clear to His servants and His anger will be shown to His enemies. The verse uses vivid images to show a sharp difference between those who serve God and those who oppose Him.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel near the end of his book, describing a future time when God will act powerfully on behalf of His faithful followers. The language about hearts rejoicing and bones flourishing like an herb paints a picture of inner happiness and physical renewal, while the mention of God’s hand and indignation highlights both care for His people and judgment on those against Him.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:14

  • "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav) refers to the inner self or emotions, so the promise is about deep, genuine joy, not just outward happiness.
  • "Bones" (עֶצֶם, etsem) and "flourish" (פָּרַח, parach) together suggest a sense of full vitality and health, not just survival but thriving, like a plant that grows strong and healthy.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad) of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) is a common Hebrew way of describing God’s active power or intervention, making it clear that what happens is by God’s direct action, not by chance.
  • "Indignation" (זַעַם, za‘am) means strong anger or wrath, emphasizing that God’s response to His enemies is not mild displeasure but decisive opposition.

Why Isaiah 66:14 matters

  • Isaiah 66:14 clarifies that God’s restoration brings both emotional and physical renewal, not just spiritual comfort.
  • The verse highlights the clear distinction between God’s treatment of His servants and His enemies, which is a key theme in the closing chapters of Isaiah.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Isaiah 66, where God promises to comfort Jerusalem and judge those who oppose Him, showing both His compassion and His justice.

Where else these words appear

“indignation” Hebrew H2194 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
  • Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
  • Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

“herb” Hebrew H1877 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
  • 2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
  • Proverbs 27:25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

“rejoice” Hebrew H7797 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
  • Isaiah 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

“flourish” Hebrew H6524 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.
  • Isaiah 17:11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.