A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

ISAIAH 66:6KJV
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Isaiah 66:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:6 mean?

Isaiah 66:6 describes a powerful sound coming from Jerusalem and the temple, which is identified as the voice of the LORD announcing that He will repay His enemies. The verse pictures God acting in judgment, making sure that those who oppose Him receive what they deserve.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about God’s coming judgment. The “voice” from the city and temple signals that God Himself is present and active, not just in religious rituals but in real events. The verse emphasizes that God’s justice will be heard and seen, especially by those who have set themselves against Him.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:6

  • קוֹל (qol, H6963) — "voice": This word appears three times in the verse, highlighting the intensity and certainty of the message. It is not just any sound, but a voice with authority and purpose.
  • הֵיכָל (heikal, H1964) — "temple": This refers specifically to the temple in Jerusalem, showing that the message comes from the very center of Israel’s worship and spiritual life.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068) — "LORD": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, making it clear that the message and the coming action are from God Himself, not from any human source.
  • שָׁלַם (shalam, H7999) — "rendereth": This verb means to repay or make whole, often with the sense of giving back what is due. Here, it stresses that God’s response to His enemies is measured and just.

Why Isaiah 66:6 matters

  • Isaiah 66:6 clarifies that God’s judgment is not hidden or silent; it is announced openly and unmistakably, leaving no doubt about who is acting.
  • The verse connects the religious center (the temple) with God’s real-world actions, showing that worship and justice are linked in God’s plan.
  • This verse sets the stage for the closing themes of Isaiah, where God’s final dealings with both the faithful and the rebellious are brought into sharp focus.

Where else these words appear

“noise” Hebrew H7588 · used in 16 verses

  • Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
  • Isaiah 17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
  • Jeremiah 46:17 They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

“recompence” Hebrew H1576 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 9:16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
  • Psalms 137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
  • Isaiah 59:18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

“temple” Hebrew H1964 · used in 76 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
  • Ezekiel 41:1 Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.

“rendereth” Hebrew H7999 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
  • 1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
  • Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.