Isaiah 66:1 kjv
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Isaiah 66:1 nkjv
Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
Isaiah 66:1 niv
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?
Isaiah 66:1 esv
Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
Isaiah 66:1 nlt
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Could you build me a temple as good as that?
Could you build me such a resting place?
Isaiah 66 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 66:1 | Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool... | Isa 66:1 (O.T.) |
| Acts 7:49-50 | "Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool..." | Acts 7:49-50 (N.T.) |
| Matthew 5:35 | "nor by the earth, for it is his footstool..." | Matt 5:35 (N.T.) |
| 1 Kings 8:27 | But will God indeed dwell on earth? ... the highest heaven cannot contain you | 1 Kings 8:27 (O.T.) |
| Psalm 11:4 | The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven | Ps 11:4 (O.T.) |
| Psalm 103:19 | The Lord has established his throne in the heavens | Ps 103:19 (O.T.) |
| Psalm 113:5-6 | Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who looks down on the heavens and the earth? | Ps 113:5-6 (O.T.) |
| Psalm 139:7-8 | Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! | Ps 139:7-8 (O.T.) |
| Jeremiah 23:23-24 | "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord." | Jer 23:23-24 (O.T.) |
| Amos 9:5-6 | The Lord, the Lord of hosts, is the one who touches the earth and it melts... The one who built his palace in the heavens... | Amos 9:5-6 (O.T.) |
| Proverbs 25:6-7 | Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of great men... rather have it said to you, "Come up hither," than that you should be humbled before a prince. | Prov 25:6-7 (O.T.) |
| 1 Corinthians 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | 1 Cor 3:16 (N.T.) |
| Ephesians 1:20-23 | and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places | Eph 1:20-23 (N.T.) |
| Ephesians 2:6 | and raised us up with him and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus | Eph 2:6 (N.T.) |
| Hebrews 1:3 | ...and upholding the universe by the word of his power. ...after making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high | Heb 1:3 (N.T.) |
| Hebrews 8:1 | Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens | Heb 8:1 (N.T.) |
| Revelation 1:10 | I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day... | Rev 1:10 (N.T.) |
| Revelation 4:2 | At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. | Rev 4:2 (N.T.) |
| Revelation 19:11 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! | Rev 19:11 (N.T.) |
| Revelation 21:1-2 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... | Rev 21:1-2 (N.T.) |
Isaiah 66 verses
Isaiah 66 1 Meaning
The heavens are God's throne, and the earth is His footstool. This declares God's absolute sovereignty and transcendence. His presence encompasses all creation, yet He is distinct from it.
Isaiah 66 1 Context
This verse concludes the book of Isaiah. The preceding chapters have spoken of judgment and restoration, of a suffering servant, and a new creation. Isaiah 65:17-25 describes a new heavens and a new earth where the former troubles are forgotten and a new era of peace and joy prevails, with rapid fertility and abundant blessings. Chapter 66 continues this theme of newness, contrasting the grandeur of God's heavenly dwelling with His acceptance of the humble worshipper. The ultimate message is one of God's exalted sovereignty and His promise to look upon and dwell with those who are humble and contrite in spirit, especially those who tremble at His word. It points forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the eternal state.
Isaiah 66 1 Word Analysis
- Thus (כֹּה - koh): "So" or "Thus." It indicates a consequence or a summary statement, connecting to the preceding verses' descriptions of God's actions and promises.
- says (אָמַר - amar): "to say," "to speak." This introduces God's direct pronouncement, highlighting the authority of the statement.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people and His consistent character.
- Heaven (שָׁמַיִם - shamayim): "Heavens" or "sky." Refers to the expanse above the earth, universally understood as the dwelling place of God. The plural form is typical for "heaven" in Hebrew.
- is (הֵמָּה - hemmah / and implied "to be"): The verb "to be" is often implied in Hebrew nominal sentences, but here, "hemmah" can act as a pronoun "they," and in combination with "shamayim" (plural), it strongly conveys "they are" or "are." However, the structure implies God’s dwelling.
- my throne (כִּסְאִי - kisse'i): "my seat of authority," "my royal seat." Denotes supreme rulership and majesty. The addition of the first-person possessive pronoun "my" emphasizes ownership and ultimate dominion.
- and (וְ - və): A common conjunction.
- the earth (הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz): "the earth," "the land." The planet we inhabit.
- is (מְרַגְלָיו - meraglav): This word literally means "footstool" or "place for the feet" (regel meaning "foot"). It comes from the root רגל (ragal) meaning "to tread." It signifies something placed beneath one’s feet, indicating subservience and being under control. The plural form "-av" is the possessive suffix for "his feet," but the grammatical construction here connects with the preceding "shamayim." The standard phrasing for "my footstool" would involve a possessive suffix for "footstool." However, the usage implies it is His footstool.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Heaven is my throne": This poetic phrase establishes God's unparalleled exaltation and sovereign authority. It’s a common theme, depicting God as enthroned in the highest heavens.
- "Earth is my footstool": This phrase portrays the entirety of creation, the earth itself, as subordinate to God's authority, a place where He rests His feet. It signifies His ownership and His control over all terrestrial affairs. The imagery conveys a sense of divine grandeur and overwhelming power that encompasses even the Earth.
Isaiah 66 1 Bonus Section
The concept of God's throne in heaven, often referred to as His royal seat of power, is a recurring motif throughout Scripture. It underscores His ultimate authority and divine kingship. Similarly, the earth as His footstool emphasizes His dominion over the created order. This theological understanding prepares the reader for the subsequent verses in Isaiah 66, where God declares He will look upon the one who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at His word, indicating that His dwelling is not limited to a specific place but is with those who possess a reverent and submissive heart, regardless of their earthly circumstances or the inadequacy of earthly structures to contain Him. The imagery also points forward to Christ's reign from heaven and His eventual glorious return to establish His kingdom on a renewed earth.
Isaiah 66 1 Commentary
This declaration by God through Isaiah establishes His absolute transcendence and sovereignty. Heaven is His throne, the seat of His rule and authority, while the Earth is merely His footstool, a place beneath His feet. This imagery highlights that no earthly temple or construct can contain or confine God, for He is greater than all creation. Yet, in His infinite mercy and grace, despite His exalted position, He still looks favorably upon and dwells with those who are humble and contrite in spirit, particularly those who fear and obey His word. This anticipates the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God becoming man, and His ascension where He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, fulfilling this divine attribute of kingship over all creation while remaining intimately connected to His people.