Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
ISAIAH 66:5KJVWhat does Isaiah 66:5 mean?
Isaiah 66:5 describes how those who respect and fear God’s word are being rejected and hated by their own people, who claim to act for God’s glory. The verse promises that God will ultimately appear to bring joy to the faithful and shame to those who have cast them out.
The speaker is Isaiah, addressing Israelites who are loyal to God but suffering exclusion and hostility from others in their community. The verse highlights a situation where the faithful are mistreated by people who use religious language (“Let the LORD be glorified”) to justify their actions. Isaiah assures the faithful that God sees their suffering and will vindicate them, reversing the situation so that those who were shamed will rejoice, and those who did the shaming will be disgraced.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:5
- The word “tremble” (חָרֵד, chared) means to deeply respect or stand in awe of God’s word, not just to be afraid. This points to a heartfelt reverence among the faithful, not mere fear.
- “Cast you out” (נָדָה, nadah) refers to being expelled or excluded, often with the sense of being pushed away from the community. This shows the social cost faced by those who stayed true to God.
- “Glorified” (כָּבֵד, kaved) means to honor or give weight to. The people doing the excluding claim they are honoring God, but the verse suggests their actions do the opposite.
- “Ashamed” (בּוּשׁ, bush) means to be put to shame or disgraced. This word signals a public reversal: those who excluded others will themselves be exposed and humbled.
Why Isaiah 66:5 matters
- Isaiah 66:5 clears up the idea that suffering or rejection by religious people always means someone is in the wrong; here, it is the faithful who are mistreated.
- The verse emphasizes that God sees and cares for those who are marginalized for His sake, promising that their faithfulness will not go unnoticed.
- Isaiah 66:5 connects to the larger theme of the chapter, which contrasts true worshipers with those who only appear religious, highlighting God’s concern for sincerity over outward ritual.