Isaiah 66:21 kjv
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 66:21 nkjv
And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites," says the LORD.
Isaiah 66:21 niv
And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites," says the LORD.
Isaiah 66:21 esv
And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
Isaiah 66:21 nlt
"And I will appoint some of them to be my priests and Levites. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Isaiah 66 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 60:19-20 | "The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for the... | Foreshadows perpetual divine light |
| Jeremiah 31:33 | "But this is the covenant that I will make... | Promise of inner divine knowledge |
| Ezekiel 37:27 | "My dwelling place shall be with them... | Fulfillment of God’s presence |
| Zephaniah 3:14-15 | "Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!... | Day of rejoicing and removal of kings |
| Psalm 110:3 | "Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your... | Willingness of people in worship |
| Romans 11:26 | "and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The... | The Savior from Zion |
| Revelation 21:3-4 | "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold,... | God dwelling with humanity |
| Revelation 7:15 | "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him... | Eternal service in God’s presence |
| Revelation 21:22 | "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God... | God as the temple |
| John 4:21-24 | "Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when... | True worship in spirit and truth |
| Philippians 3:3 | "For we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God... | Worship in the Spirit |
| Acts 4:12 | "And there is no salvation in no other, for there is no other name... | Salvation only through Jesus |
| Hebrews 12:22-24 | "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God... | Heavenly Jerusalem's worship |
| Revelation 19:1-6 | "After this I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great... | Heavenly hallelujah chorus |
| Matthew 12:18 | "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my... | God’s beloved servant |
| 1 Corinthians 15:25 | "For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his... | Christ’s reign over enemies |
| Ephesians 1:20-23 | "which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and... | Christ’s exaltation |
| Isaiah 53:10-11 | "Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him; he has suffered... | The suffering servant’s triumph |
| 1 Peter 2:4-5 | "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen... | Spiritual sacrifices |
| John 1:29 | "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold... | The Lamb of God |
Isaiah 66 verses
Isaiah 66 21 Meaning
This verse signifies a future eternal state of worship and communion with God for His people. It highlights a continuous, restored relationship where those redeemed will acknowledge and honor the Lord.
Isaiah 66 21 Context
Isaiah 66 concludes the prophet's message, shifting from judgment upon unfaithful Israel and surrounding nations to a vision of future restoration and eternal glory for God's redeemed people. Chapter 66 begins with a declaration of God's transcendence and a critique of mere outward religious observance. It then moves to depict judgment on those who reject Him, contrasted with the rejoicing of a new Jerusalem. This final verse, 21, encapsulates the glorious culmination of God's plan, envisioning a renewed creation where His faithful servants will perpetually honor Him and His chosen ones will hold esteemed positions.
Isaiah 66 21 Word Analysis
- "And" (Hebrew: וְ wə) - A common conjunction connecting clauses and ideas, indicating continuity or consequence.
- "I will also take" (Hebrew: לָקַחְתִּי גַּם֙ lāqaḥtî ġam) - "I will take," signifies God's active involvement and choice in selecting individuals. "Also" suggests this is an addition to previous actions or promises.
- "of them" (Hebrew: מִמֶּ֔ה mimmê) - Refers back to the "daughters" and "sons" mentioned in the previous verse, indicating those chosen are from within the restored community.
- "for priests" (Hebrew: לַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים lakōhănîm) - The noun "priests" (כֹּהֵן kōhên) implies individuals set apart for divine service, offering sacrifices, and mediating between God and people. This is a elevated spiritual role.
- "and for Levites" (Hebrew: וּלְלְוִיִּ֑ם wəlɛlûyyîm) - The Levites were a tribe designated to assist the priests in temple service. Here, it signifies those appointed to continuous worship and service.
- "say" (Hebrew: אָמַר֙ ’āmar) - To speak, declare, or communicate. Here, it refers to the confession and praise God's people will offer.
- "Saith the LORD" (Hebrew: נְאֻם־ יְהוָ֖ה nə’um- YHWH) - A strong prophetic declaration attributing the statement directly to God (Yahweh), emphasizing divine authority.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "take of them for priests and for Levites": This phrase indicates a new, elevated order of worship and service that transcends the Old Testament Levitical system. In the New Covenant, all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9). This group taken "for priests and for Levites" likely represents the most devoted and consecrated members of the redeemed community, appointed to special roles in eternal worship.
- "for ever" (Hebrew: לְעוֹלָ֑ם lɛ‘ōlām) - This temporal marker emphasizes the everlasting nature of this covenant and the worship it entails, a permanent state.
- "shall be" (Hebrew: יִהְיֶ֖ה yîhyê) - Future tense, pointing to a future fulfillment of God's promises.
Isaiah 66 21 Bonus Section
The imagery of taking "priests and Levites" from within the restored nation points to the consecration and honor bestowed upon God’s people in the age to come. It suggests that within the redeemed multitude, there will be those appointed to particular roles in worship and service, reflecting the orderliness and worshipful nature of God’s eternal kingdom. This aligns with New Testament concepts where believers are called to serve and reign with Christ in the New Jerusalem. It’s a fulfillment of Old Testament aspirations, reimagined in a spiritual, eternal context.
Isaiah 66 21 Commentary
This verse provides a glimpse into the eternal state where God’s people are transformed into a people of priests and Levites, eternally serving and worshipping Him. It's a promise of profound intimacy and restored relationship, far exceeding the ceremonial distinctions of the Mosaic Law. In the New Covenant, this role is expanded to all believers who have access to God through Christ, becoming a spiritual priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices. This verse reinforces the ultimate purpose of God's redemption: His people, forever in His presence, perpetually acknowledging His name and glory. It signifies a perfected priesthood and eternal service, a testament to God’s faithfulness in bringing His people to the fullness of His kingdom.