For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

ISAIAH 66:2KJV
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Isaiah 66:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:2 mean?

Isaiah 66:2 says that although God made everything and rules over all creation, He pays special attention to people who are humble, have a broken or repentant spirit, and deeply respect His words. God values a person's attitude and heart more than outward achievements or offerings.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel, reminding them that He is the Creator of all things. The situation is one where many people were focused on religious rituals and temple worship, but God points out that what truly matters to Him is humility, a contrite (remorseful) spirit, and reverence for His word. This verse shifts the focus from external religious acts to the inner qualities God desires.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:2

  • "poor" (עָנִי, ʿani): This word means someone who is humble, afflicted, or lowly. It highlights that God is drawn to those who do not see themselves as important or self-sufficient.
  • "contrite" (נִכְּהֶה, nikhéh): This word refers to someone who is crushed or broken in spirit, often understood as being deeply sorry or repentant. It shows that God values honest self-awareness and sorrow over wrongdoing.
  • "trembleth" (חָרֵד, chared): This word means to tremble or quake, often out of reverence or fear. Here, it describes someone who takes God's word seriously and responds with awe and respect.

Why Isaiah 66:2 matters

  • Isaiah 66:2 clears up the misunderstanding that God is mainly interested in outward religious rituals or grand offerings; instead, He looks for humility and a sincere heart.
  • The verse emphasizes that God's attention is drawn to those who are spiritually humble and sensitive to His word, not to those who rely on their own status or achievements.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 66, this verse sets the tone for understanding true worship as something internal and genuine, rather than just external compliance.

Where else these words appear

“contrite” Hebrew H5223 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
  • 2 Samuel 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

“trembleth” Hebrew H2730 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 7:3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
  • 1 Samuel 4:13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
  • Ezra 10:3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

“look” Hebrew H5027 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Psalms 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
  • Isaiah 22:11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

“poor” Hebrew H6041 · used in 78 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.