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.

ISAIAH 66:20KJV
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Isaiah 66:20 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:20 mean?

Isaiah 66:20 describes people from all nations bringing the Jewish people back to Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD, using various means of transport, just as the Israelites bring offerings in clean vessels to God's house. The verse pictures a great, joyful return to Jerusalem, emphasizing the gathering of God's people from everywhere.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God's message to the people of Israel, looking ahead to a time when exiles will be gathered from all over the world. The language compares the return of these "brethren" to the ritual of bringing a pure offering to the temple, highlighting both the value and the holiness of this return. The scene is one of restoration and inclusion, with people from many nations participating in bringing God's people home.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:20

  • "Offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This word means a gift or tribute, often a grain offering, but here it is used to describe the returning people themselves as something precious and dedicated to God.
  • "Clean vessel" (כְּלִי טָהוֹר, keli tahor): The phrase refers to a ritually pure container used in temple worship, stressing that the returnees are being brought in a way that is acceptable and pleasing to God.
  • "Nations" (גּוֹי, goy): This word means non-Israelite peoples, showing that the gathering involves the participation of people from all over the world, not just Israel.
  • "Holy mountain" (הַר קָדְשִׁי, har kodshi): This refers specifically to Jerusalem, seen as the sacred place where God dwells and where worship is centered.

Why Isaiah 66:20 matters

  • Isaiah 66:20 clarifies that the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem is not just a physical journey but is described in terms of worship and dedication, like an offering to God.
  • The verse highlights the involvement of "all nations," showing that God's plan includes people from every background, not just Israel, in the work of restoration.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme in Isaiah 66 of God's glory being revealed to all humanity and the ultimate unity of worship centered in Jerusalem.