Isaiah 66 18

Isaiah 66:18 kjv

For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Isaiah 66:18 nkjv

"For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.

Isaiah 66:18 niv

"And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

Isaiah 66:18 esv

"For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,

Isaiah 66:18 nlt

"I can see what they are doing, and I know what they are thinking. So I will gather all nations and peoples together, and they will see my glory.

Isaiah 66 verses

Isaiah 66 18 meaning

Isaiah 66:18, rendered in the King James Version as, "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory," declares God's omniscient awareness of humanity's deeds and intentions, setting the stage for a divinely ordained future event. This event involves the global convergence of diverse peoples—"all nations and tongues"—who will assemble and bear witness to the radiant manifestation of God's intrinsic worth and majesty. It proclaims a universal display of divine glory, stemming from God's perfect knowledge, in an appointed time.

Isaiah 66 18 Context

Isaiah chapter 66 serves as the climactic conclusion to the entire Book of Isaiah, a prophetic masterpiece spanning over two centuries. It paints a vivid picture of future judgment and redemption. Preceding this verse, Isaiah 66:1-4 condemns hypocritical and self-serving worship among a rebellious segment of Israel, emphasizing that God looks to the humble and contrite, not elaborate rituals chosen by human will. Verses 15-17 then describe a fierce divine judgment against those who pursue abominable practices, foreshadowing God's consuming fire upon the wicked.

Against this backdrop of severe judgment against apostate Israel, verse 18 shifts to an astounding declaration of God's universal plan. It broadens the scope from a particular national judgment to a global divine encounter. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people often understood God's covenant and future blessings as exclusively for Israel. This verse, therefore, represents a profound challenge to that ethnocentric view, proclaiming God's future inclusion and revelation to all nations, foreshadowing an eschatological reality where His glory transcends national boundaries. It underscores that even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is to manifest His glory universally, prompting a worldwide reckoning or revelation.

Isaiah 66 18 Word analysis

• For I know: יָּדַעְתִּי (yadati) - Derived from the root yada, meaning "to know." This is not a superficial acquaintance but an intimate, personal, and exhaustive knowledge. It signifies divine omniscience, God's complete and perfect awareness of all things, including the innermost secrets and intentions of every human heart. This divine knowledge forms the basis of God's subsequent action.
• their works: מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם (ma'aseihem) - "Deeds," "actions," "practices." In the immediate context (Is 66:3-4, 17), these "works" are identified as detestable acts of rebellion and idolatry by those who "choose their own ways." God knows every visible action, good or evil, righteous or profane.
• and their thoughts: וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֵיהֶם (u'makhsh'voth'ehem) - "Intentions," "plans," "devices," "schemes." This extends God's knowledge beyond outward actions to the inward motives and imaginations of the heart. This term highlights that God discerns the origin and true nature of deeds, revealing hypocrisy and hidden rebellion.
• the time is coming: בָּאָה עֵת (ba'ah et) - Literally, "is coming, the time." Ba'ah (feminine participle of bo) denotes a certainty of arrival, like a set appointment, not merely a possibility. Et means "time," "appointed time," "season," often indicating a specific, divinely ordained moment in God's redemptive historical plan. It points to a definitive future event that is fixed and imminent in God's calendar.
• to gather: לְקַבֵּץ (l'kabets) - "To assemble," "to collect," "to bring together." This is an active, purposeful act of God, indicating His sovereign initiative in bringing these diverse groups together. The gathering is not accidental but divinely orchestrated for a specific purpose.
• all nations: כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם (kol-hagoyim) - "All the Gentiles," "all the peoples," "all the non-Israelite nations." The term goyim usually refers to the Gentile nations, emphasizing a universal scope that breaks beyond Israel's exclusive understanding of God's work. It signifies God's redemptive and revelatory purpose extends to all humanity.
• and tongues: וְהַלְּשֹׁנוֹת (v'haleshonot) - "And the languages." This further accentuates the vast diversity and breadth of the gathered peoples, cutting across linguistic and cultural boundaries. It means not just political entities, but all distinct ethnic and linguistic groups of humanity will be present.
• and they shall come: וּבָאוּ (u'va'u) - "And they will come/arrive." This is a definitive statement of their voluntary (though divinely compelled) movement towards the event God is orchestrating. It indicates their participation in the gathering.
• and shall see: וְרָאוּ (v'ra'u) - "And they will see/perceive/behold." This implies a direct and personal experience of observation and recognition, going beyond mere physical sight to spiritual comprehension. The seeing is for revelation and acknowledgment.
• My glory: כְּבוֹדִי (k'vodi) - "My honor," "My splendor," "My weightiness," "My majesty," "My divine presence." Kavod represents the tangible manifestation of God's essential being, His inherent worth, holiness, and power. To "see My glory" means to encounter God in His self-revealed magnificence, which elicits either worship, awe, or profound judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For I know their works and their thoughts": This opening phrase asserts God's ultimate authority and righteous judgment. His perfect knowledge of both outward actions ("works") and inward motivations ("thoughts") makes His impending judgment and subsequent actions entirely just and necessary. It highlights the depth of human corruption in the rebellious while also establishing His complete discernment of all people.
• "the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues": This indicates a fixed, divinely predetermined eschatological event of immense global scope. The phrase emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in assembling all humanity, regardless of their cultural or ethnic origin. It transforms the historical Jewish understanding of national exclusivity into a universal plan for all people.
• "and they shall come and shall see My glory": This phrase details the outcome of God's gathering. It portrays a direct, personal encounter between God and all peoples, where His intrinsic worth, power, and presence are unequivocally manifested. This vision of God's glory will serve as either a point of salvation for the humble or final judgment for the unrepentant, demonstrating God's sovereign power and ultimate triumph over all creation.

Isaiah 66 18 Bonus section

This verse, alongside Isaiah 65-66, strongly hints at the "new heavens and new earth" motif. The universal gathering and the seeing of God's glory are often tied to the ultimate restoration and renewal of all creation, where God's presence will fully fill the earth. This eschatological vision foreshadows the inclusiveness of the New Covenant, where salvation is extended to all who believe, irrespective of their ethnic origin, fulfilling this ancient prophecy. The "glory" they see could represent God's revealed character through His acts of both judgment and redemption.

Isaiah 66 18 Commentary

Isaiah 66:18 unfolds a profound theological truth, emphasizing God's intimate and perfect knowledge of all human "works and thoughts." This omniscience serves as the foundation for His just intervention in the world. The verse pivots from divine insight to a powerful declaration of an appointed future "time" when God Himself will sovereignly "gather all nations and tongues." This universal scope dismantles any previous notion of God's concern being limited to one nation. It prophecies an eschatological assembly where every ethnic and linguistic group will be compelled to come before Him. The ultimate purpose of this gathering is for "they shall come and shall see My glory." This vision is not passive but an active encounter with the manifested splendor and power of God. For some, it will be a revelation leading to worship and salvation (as hinted in the subsequent verses), while for others, it will confirm their judgment (given the preceding context of wrath). Thus, this verse provides a grand vision of God's universal reach, His perfect justice, and His ultimate self-revelation to all humanity in a coming appointed era.