Isaiah 61:6 kjv
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isaiah 61:6 nkjv
But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast.
Isaiah 61:6 niv
And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
Isaiah 61:6 esv
but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
Isaiah 61:6 nlt
You will be called priests of the LORD,
ministers of our God.
You will feed on the treasures of the nations
and boast in their riches.
Isaiah 61 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 61:1-3 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me... to comfort all who mourn..." | Messianic prophecy, fulfillment in Christ |
| Exodus 19:6 | "...you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." | Old Covenant priesthood |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | New Covenant priesthood |
| Revelation 1:6 | "...and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father..." | Heavenly priesthood |
| Isaiah 60:10 | "Strangers shall build up your walls, and their kings shall serve you..." | Nations serving Zion |
| Isaiah 60:3 | "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." | Gentiles recognizing Zion's glory |
| John 4:23-24 | "...the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth..." | True worship is spiritual |
| Romans 12:1 | "...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." | Living sacrifice of believers |
| Malachi 3:3 | "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..." | Purification of God's people |
| Matthew 5:16 | "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds..." | Believers as light in the world |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | "For you were bought with a price..." | Redemption through Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 7:22 | "For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord." | Spiritual freedom in Christ |
| Revelation 5:10 | "and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." | Kings and priests in the New Kingdom |
| Numbers 6:23-26 | "The LORD bless you and keep you..." | Priestly blessing formula |
| Psalm 2:8 | "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage..." | Nations as inheritance |
| Psalm 110:3 | "Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power..." | Willing service in divine power |
| Hebrews 7:17 | "for it is testified: 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.'" | Christ's eternal priesthood |
| Genesis 12:3 | "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | Blessing through Abraham |
| Isaiah 2:3 | "and many peoples shall come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...'" | Nations going to Zion's mountain |
| Acts 20:28 | "...to shepherd the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." | Shepherding the church |
| Romans 1:16 | "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." | Power of the gospel |
Isaiah 61 verses
Isaiah 61 6 Meaning
This verse declares a transformation for the people of Zion, transitioning them from a state of mourning and desolation to one of priestly service and prosperity. It highlights a reversal of fortune where they will serve as ministers of God, proclaiming His glory and being esteemed by nations.
Isaiah 61 6 Context
Isaiah 61:6 is the culmination of a prophecy of restoration and blessing for the returned exiles of Judah. The preceding verses detail the immediate blessings of redemption, comfort, and joy following their return from Babylonian captivity. This particular verse shifts focus to the future role and esteemed position of God's people, not just in their land but in the wider world. It describes them not just as recipients of blessings, but as participants in God's ongoing redemptive plan, serving as a priestly nation. This outlook transcends the immediate historical return to envision a future state of honor and universal recognition for God's people, a concept that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 61 6 Word Analysis
- and (וְ - we): A conjunctive particle, linking this statement to the preceding blessings.
- you (אַתֶּם - attem): Plural second-person pronoun, referring to the people of Zion/Israel.
- shall eat (תֹּאכְל֖וּ - to’khlu): Future tense verb, meaning to consume, to eat. Here, it signifies enjoying abundant sustenance and prosperity.
- the fat (חֵ֣לֶב - ḥeleḇ): Noun meaning fat, richness, best part. Refers to the best produce and provisions.
- of the nations (גּוֹיִ֑ם - goyim): Noun meaning nations, peoples, Gentiles. Indicates that the prosperity will come from the abundance or restitution associated with nations.
- and (וְ - we): Another conjunctive particle.
- the riches (שְׂאֵ֤ת - śe’ḇṯ): Noun, derived from a root meaning to lift up, carry. Often refers to tribute, riches, or prosperity, implying that their wealth will be elevated or provided by others.
- of the Gentiles (גּוֹיִם֙ - goyim): Again, nations. Reinforces the idea of resources or status derived from gentile nations.
- shall you bear (תִּשְׂאוּ־ - tis’u): Future tense verb, meaning to carry, to bear, to lift up. This connects to the concept of tribute or bringing their wealth.
- in their place (מְקוֹמְכֶ֣ם - məkômḵem): Noun meaning place, stead. The pronoun suffix “your” is crucial here. It signifies their place is established, their inheritance secured, from which they will receive these riches.
Word Groups Analysis
- "shall eat the fat of the nations and the riches of the Gentiles": This phrase signifies not mere consumption, but an inherited prosperity and status. It’s not predatory acquisition, but a divinely ordained bestowal of wealth and resources. It reflects the promised abundance and the reversal of fortune where those who once oppressed or ignored God's people will now contribute to their flourishing.
- "shall you bear in their place": This connects the prosperity directly to their established position, their land, their inheritance. They will not wander to receive these benefits; they will be received in Zion, in their place. It reinforces their restored dominion and God’s provision for them in their homeland.
Isaiah 61 6 Bonus Section
The concept of "eating the fat of the nations" is symbolic. It points to a comprehensive restoration of God's covenant people, reflecting God's promise that all nations would ultimately recognize and serve Him, indirectly benefiting His chosen. This is a foreshadowing of the universal reach of the Gospel, where through Christ, people from every nation become part of God's redeemed family and contribute to the spiritual wealth of the community of faith. The reversal depicted—from exilic hardship to enjoying the "fat of the nations"—highlights God's faithfulness to His promises of restoration and the glorious future He intends for those who trust Him.
Isaiah 61 6 Commentary
This verse beautifully encapsulates the ultimate vindication and blessing of God's people. It speaks of a restoration so complete that even the resources of the nations will flow into Zion, not as spoils of war, but as tribute and acknowledgment of God's presence and sovereignty dwelling within His people. This is more than just material wealth; it’s a testament to their restored identity as a people set apart, functioning as a kingdom of priests. Their elevated status, marked by this influx of provision, mirrors the future glory and inclusivity promised to the church, where peoples of all nations are brought into the fold and contribute to God’s kingdom, unified in Christ.