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 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 66:18 | "For I know their works and their thoughts: the time comes, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall see my glory." | Isa 43:6, Jer 31:7-10 (restoration) |
| Isaiah 66:19 | "And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those of them that escape unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations." | Rom 1:20 (God's eternal power), Acts 15:7 (calling nations) |
| Isaiah 66:20 | "And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts; to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD." | John 10:16 (one flock), Rev 7:9 (multitude from every nation) |
| Jeremiah 31:8 | "Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither." | Eze 36:24 (gathered from nations) |
| Ezekiel 36:24 | "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." | Zec 8:7-8 (gathering from East and West) |
| Zechariah 8:7 | "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;" | Acts 2:39 (promise to those afar off) |
| Matthew 24:14 | "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." | Mark 13:10 (same) |
| Romans 1:20 | "For invisible things of him are seen from the creation of the world, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" | John 1:18 (seeing God) |
| Revelation 7:9 | "After this I looked, and, behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands;" | Acts 10:34-35 (God shows no partiality) |
| Romans 11:11 | "I say then, Did they stumble that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." | Eph 3:8 (preaching among Gentiles) |
| Acts 2:5-11 | "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven... Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia..." | Acts 26:17-18 (sent to open eyes) |
| Luke 24:47 | "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." | Isa 52:10 (all the ends of the earth shall see) |
| Malachi 1:11 | "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts." | Ps 72:11 (nations serve Him) |
| Psalm 72:11 | "Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him." | Ps 113:3 (God praised from East to West) |
| Acts 1:8 | "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." | John 17:18 (sent into the world) |
| Revelation 5:9 | "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" | 1 Cor 12:13 (baptized into one body) |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." | Col 3:11 (no distinction) |
| Acts 28:28 | "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." | Romans 10:18 (their voice went out) |
| John 4:21-24 | "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father... the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." | John 11:52 (Jesus dying for the nation) |
| 1 Timothy 2:4 | "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." | 2 Peter 3:9 (God patient for repentance) |
Isaiah 66 verses
Isaiah 66 18 Meaning
This verse signifies God's future actions of judgment and salvation. He will reveal His glory, manifesting His power, not to an empty earth, but to the assembled nations who have not heard of His fame or seen His deeds. Through them, God will reveal Himself, appointing some as messengers to bring the exiled Israelites back to Jerusalem, much like they brought their offerings.
Isaiah 66 18 Context
This verse is the conclusion of the Book of Isaiah, presenting a vision of future redemption and transformation. Following prophecies of judgment against Israel's enemies and apostates, chapter 66 shifts to a glorious restoration. It speaks of a new heavens and a new earth, where God's people will be regathered and His presence will be manifest. This particular verse envisions a universal recognition of God's glory through the mission of returning exiles, highlighting the outreach to the nations. It emphasizes that God’s saving actions will extend beyond Israel to all peoples.
Isaiah 66 18 Word Analysis
- "For": (Hebrew: כִּי - ki) A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation.
- "I know": (Hebrew: יָדַעְתִּי - yadati) Implies intimate knowledge, not just acquaintance but deep understanding of their deeds and intentions.
- "their works": (Hebrew: מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם - ma'aseihem) Their actions, deeds, behavior.
- "and their thoughts": (Hebrew: וְתַחְבּוּכֹתֵיהֶם - vetaḥbūḵoteihem) Their plots, designs, intentions, innermost workings of their minds.
- "the time comes": (Hebrew: בָּאֹת - ba'ot) It is coming, it approaches; a future event is assured.
- "that I will gather": (Hebrew: קָבֹץ - qabōts) To assemble, collect, bring together.
- "all nations": (Hebrew: כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם - kol-hagoyim) All gentile peoples, all ethnic groups.
- "and tongues": (Hebrew: וּלְשֹׁנוֹת - ūlĕšōnōt) All languages, representing the diversity of humanity.
- "and they shall see": (Hebrew: וְרָאוּ - vērā'ū) They will witness, observe, understand.
- "my glory": (Hebrew: כְּבֹדִי - ḵĕbōdī) God's manifest presence, majesty, honor, splendor, His self-revelation.
Words Group Analysis:
- "I know their works and their thoughts": This emphasizes God's omniscience, encompassing both outward actions and inner motivations, establishing His righteous judgment.
- "the time comes, that I will gather all nations and tongues": This points to a future salvific act, a deliberate divine gathering of all humanity.
- "and they shall see my glory": The purpose of this gathering is for all nations to witness and recognize God's majesty and powerful presence.
Isaiah 66 18 Bonus Section
The concept of God revealing His "glory" among the nations connects to the broader theme in Isaiah where God uses His chosen people (Israel) to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). Here, it's presented as a final culmination, where even those who did not initially know Him will ultimately see and acknowledge Him. This speaks to the inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan, ultimately bringing all peoples into a relationship with Him. The returning exiles are instrumental in this, acting as agents of divine revelation as they themselves are brought back by the nations.
Isaiah 66 18 Commentary
This verse encapsulates a significant eschatological vision. God's knowledge extends to the very intentions of people, setting the stage for a revelation of His glory that is universal. The gathering of "all nations and tongues" points to a comprehensive plan of salvation that transcends ethnic and linguistic barriers. This foreshadows the New Testament proclamation where the Gospel is preached to every nation, leading to a unified body of believers who collectively witness God's glory. It’s not merely an observation of His power but an understanding and acknowledgement of His supreme worth. The act of gathering and revealing is an act of ultimate salvation, making His presence and power known to all.