Isaiah 66:21 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:21 mean?

Isaiah 66:21 says that God will choose some people from among those gathered to serve as priests and Levites, according to what the LORD has declared. This means that God is opening up special religious roles, which were once limited to certain families, to a wider group of people.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God’s words to the people of Israel near the end of his book. The setting is a vision of a future time when people from many nations are brought to Jerusalem. God’s promise here shows a surprising change: He will select priests and Levites not just from the traditional tribes, but also from among those who have been gathered from the nations.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:21

• "take" (לָקַח, laqach): This word means to select or choose. Here, it shows that God is actively picking certain people for a special purpose, not just accepting volunteers.
• "priests" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This refers to those who serve in the temple, traditionally from the family of Aaron. The verse hints that God’s service will be opened to people beyond the usual boundaries.
• "Levites" (לֵוִי, lewi): Levites were helpers in temple worship, from the tribe of Levi. Including both priests and Levites highlights that all levels of temple service are in view.
• "saith" (אָמַר, amar): This is a common word for “says,” but it emphasizes that this promise comes directly from God.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, underlining the authority and certainty of the promise.

Why Isaiah 66:21 matters

• Isaiah 66:21 clears up the idea that only people from certain families or tribes could serve God in special ways; God is showing He can choose anyone He wishes.
• The verse connects to the wider theme in Isaiah 66 of God gathering people from all nations, not just Israel, to worship Him in Jerusalem.
• This promise would have been surprising to Isaiah’s first hearers, challenging their assumptions about who could be close to God and serve in His temple.