Isaiah 56:8 kjv
The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
Isaiah 56:8 nkjv
The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him."
Isaiah 56:8 niv
The Sovereign LORD declares? he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."
Isaiah 56:8 esv
The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered."
Isaiah 56:8 nlt
For the Sovereign LORD,
who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says:
I will bring others, too,
besides my people Israel."
Isaiah 56 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 56:8 | "The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel—" | Strong prophetic declaration of God's regathering action. |
| Gen 49:10 | "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." | Prophecy of a future ruler who will draw nations to himself. |
| Deut 30:3 | "then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from among the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you." | God's promise to gather His scattered people from exile. |
| Jer 3:14 | "Return, faithless Israel," declares the LORD, "I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful, declares the LORD. I will not be angry forever." | God's assurance of returning His people and His mercy. |
| Jer 31:8 | "See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. With them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and those in labor; a great assembly will return." | Specific prophecy of gathering from distant lands, including the weak. |
| Jer 31:10 | "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and will watch over his own flock like a shepherd.’" | God presented as the shepherd who gathers and protects His scattered flock. |
| Ezek 34:11-13 | "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered sheep when he is among them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy, stormy day. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them to their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the inhabited places in the land." | Detailed analogy of God as the shepherd actively searching for and gathering His sheep. |
| Ezek 37:21-22 | "and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them." | Vision of a unified nation gathered back to their land under one king. |
| Zech 2:6 | "“Come! Come from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have spread you out among the four winds of the heavens,” declares the LORD." | God initiating the return from dispersion. |
| Zech 8:7 | "This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from east and west." | Broadening of God's salvific reach to encompass all directions. |
| Matt 11:28 | "“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." | Jesus' invitation to all who are burdened, echoing the gathering theme. |
| John 11:52 | "but this he spoke not of his own accord; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for this nation," | Jesus' death as a means to gather God's children scattered. |
| John 10:16 | "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep and they too I must bring. They shall hear my voice and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." | Jesus speaks of gathering Gentiles (other sheep) into one flock. |
| Acts 15:16-17 | "‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up, so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles over whom my name is called,’ declares the Lord, who does these things"— | Inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, fulfilling the gathering prophecy. |
| Eph 2:11-14 | "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “circumcised”—a circumcision made of a hand—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility," | The concept of Gentiles being brought near to God and His people through Christ. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." | Christ is the ultimate reveler and agent of God's new covenant, which gathers all believers. |
| 1 Pet 1:1-2 | "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance." | Believers, though scattered, are elect according to God's foreknowledge, connected to the gathering. |
| Rev 7:9 | "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands." | The ultimate fulfillment of gathering from all nations. |
Isaiah 56 verses
Isaiah 56 8 Meaning
The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered." This signifies God's ongoing redemptive work, extending His covenant community beyond those already within His fold, particularly referring to the gathering of Israel and then including the Gentiles. It points to the inclusive nature of God's plan of salvation.
Isaiah 56 8 Context
This verse is situated within the latter part of the book of Isaiah, specifically in chapters 56-66, often referred to as "Second Isaiah" or "Trito-Isaiah," which shifts focus to the post-exilic period. Chapter 56 begins by emphasizing the importance of righteousness and justice, and it includes a promise of blessing for eunuchs and foreigners who keep the Sabbath and cling to God's covenant. This sets the stage for the affirmation in verse 8. Historically, the Jewish people had been exiled to Babylon and were in the process of returning to Jerusalem, but not all who were scattered had returned. God's promise here assures them that His gathering work is not complete and will extend beyond those who have already come back. The verse also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's people under the new covenant established through the Messiah.
Isaiah 56 8 Word Analysis
LORD (YHWH): The covenant-keeping name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relational nature with His people.
GOD (Elohim): A general term for God, often used to denote His power and sovereignty. Used in conjunction with YHWH, it signifies the ultimate authority of the covenant God.
Sovereign (Adon): A term meaning "lord" or "master," indicating God's supreme authority and ownership over all creation and His people.
gathers (me'asseph): From the root 'asaph,' meaning "to gather," "to collect," or "to take away." It implies a deliberate act of bringing dispersed people together.
the outcasts (negidhê): Likely refers to those who are scattered or exiled. The Hebrew can also imply those who are banished or driven away.
of Israel: Refers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen people.
will gather (yoseph): Future tense of the same root 'asaph.' This signifies a continued or an additional act of gathering.
still others (ôdh): Means "more," "again," or "besides." It indicates an expansion of the group being gathered.
to them (êlähem): Refers back to the outcasts of Israel already mentioned.
besides (mippene): Denotes "from the presence of" or "because of," indicating a distinction or an addition. In this context, it emphasizes adding to what already exists.
Group of words analysis:
- The Sovereign LORD: Combines God's authoritative title (Adon) with His covenant name (YHWH), highlighting His rightful and relational claim over His people.
- gathers the outcasts of Israel: This phrase directly addresses the historical reality of Israel's dispersion and God's promise to bring them back together, a foundational theme in Isaiah.
- gather still others to them besides: This crucial phrase points to the expansion of God's people beyond the ethnic and national boundaries of Israel, hinting at inclusivity.
Isaiah 56 8 Bonus Section
This verse, along with its immediate context, underscores a vital theme in Isaiah: God’s sovereignty over history and His unwavering commitment to His promises, even extending His grace beyond His initially chosen nation. It showcases a progressive revelation of God's inclusive salvific plan, a crucial concept that is fully unveiled in the New Testament. The mention of "outcasts" and "gathering" echoes God's role as a shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, a metaphor powerfully employed by Jesus in the Gospels.
Isaiah 56 8 Commentary
Isaiah 56:8 assures Israel, during or after their exile, that God's salvific plan is not limited to those who have already been gathered. It is a message of hope that God's redemptive actions will continue and broaden. This verse points to the gathering of dispersed Jews back to their homeland, but prophetically extends to the eventual gathering of a much wider community – including Gentiles – into the covenant family through the Messiah. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is seen in the universal church, gathered from every nation, tribe, and tongue, as described in the New Testament. It highlights God's faithfulness and His desire to expand His kingdom.