Isaiah 66:2-12

2 Mine hand made all these things, and all these things be made, saith the Lord; but to whom shall I behold, no but to a poor man and contrite in spirit, and greatly dreading my words? (My hands made all these things, and all these things be made, saith the Lord; but to whom shall I look upon, no but one who is poor, and contrite in spirit, and who greatly feareth my words/and who hath great reverence for my words.)

3 He that offereth an ox, is as he that slayeth a man; he that slayeth a sheep, is as he that braineth a dog; he that offereth an offering, is as he that offereth swine's blood; he that thinketh on incense, is as he that blesseth an idol (he who burneth incense, is like he who blesseth an idol); they choosed all these things in their ways, and their soul delighted in their abominations.

4 Wherefore and I shall choose the scornings of them, and I shall bring to them those things which they dreaded; for I called, and none there was that answered; I spake, and they heard not; and they did evil before mine eyes, and choosed those things, which I would not. (And so I shall choose those who be mocked by them, and I shall bring to them those things which they feared; for I called, and there was no one who answered; I spoke, and they did not listen; and they did evil before my eyes, and chose those things, which I would not choose/which I did not desire.)

5 Hear ye the word of the Lord, which quake at his word; your brethren hating you, and casting (you) away for (you bear) my name, said, The Lord be glorified, and (then) we shall see (you) in your gladness; forsooth they shall be shamed. (Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye who shake at his word; your kinsmen who hate you, and who cast you away for the sake of my name, have said, Let the Lord be glorified, and then we shall see you rejoice, or be happy; so it shall be, but they shall be shamed.)

6 The voice of the people from the city, the voice from the temple, the voice of the Lord yielding a reward to his enemies. (Those cries of the people from the city, those cries from the Temple, be the sound of the Lord yielding a reward, or requiting, unto his enemies.)

7 Before that she travailed of child, she childed; before that the sorrow of her childbearing came, she childed a son. (Before that she could go into labour, she gave birth; before that the pain of her labour began, she gave birth to a son.)

8 Who heard ever such a thing, and who saw a thing like this? Whether the earth shall travail of child in one day, either a folk shall be childed together? For why Zion travailed of child, and childed her sons. (Whoever heard of such a thing, and whoever saw something like this? Shall a whole country be born after just one day's labour, or shall an entire nation be born together? But Zion went into labour, and gave birth to her children all at once.)

9 Whether that I make others to bear child, (but) shall not bear child myself? saith the Lord. Whether I that give generation to other men, shall be barren? saith thy Lord God. (Shall I who let others give birth, not give birth myself? saith the Lord. Shall I who give children, or descendants, to others, be barren myself? saith the Lord thy God.)

10 Be ye glad with Jerusalem, and all ye that love that, make full out joy therein; all ye that mourn on that Jerusalem, make ye joy with it in joy; (Be ye happy with Jerusalem, and all ye who love that city, rejoice there; all ye who have mourned over Jerusalem, now make ye joy with it;)

11 that both ye suck, and be [ful]filled of the teats and comfort thereof (that ye may suck, and be fulfilled by the breasts that give comfort there), (and) that ye milk (out), and flow in delights, of all manner glory thereof.

12 For why the Lord saith these things, Lo! I shall bow down on it, as a flood of peace, and as a flowing stream, the glory of heathen men, which ye shall suck; ye shall be borne at teats, and (when they shall take you) on (their) knees, they shall speak pleasantly to you. (For the Lord saith these things, Lo! I shall bring peace upon it, like a river, and the wealth of the heathen, like a flowing stream; and this ye shall suck when ye shall be carried at the breast, and when they shall take you upon their knees, and they shall speak pleasantly to you.)

Isaiah 66:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 66

This chapter treats of the same things as the former, the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, and the regard had to them that did believe; the conversion of that people in the latter day; the calling of the Gentiles, and the happy state of the church in the last times. The causes of the rejection of the Jews were their unworthy notions of God, as if he was confined to the temple of Jerusalem, and to be pleased with external sacrifices, now both at an end under the Gospel dispensation; a better sacrifice being offered, and a more spiritual worship set up everywhere; which notions are considered, Isa 66:1-3, and because they were set upon their ways and works, and rejected the Gospel of Christ, they are threatened with ruin, Isa 66:3,4 and the disciples of Christ, whom they excommunicated and persecuted, have a promise of divine appearance for them, while vengeance shall be taken on their enemies, their city and temple, Isa 66:5,6, nevertheless, in the latter day, there will be a large and sudden conversion of this nation of the Jews, which is signified by the birth of them, which will be matter of great joy to all the true lovers of the interest of Christ, Isa 66:7-11 and what will add to the prosperity, joy, and comfort of the church of Christ at this time, will be the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles, Isa 66:12-14 at which time the vials of God's wrath will be poured out upon antichrist and his followers, Isa 66:15-17 and the chapter is concluded with a fresh account of large conversions of men of all nations, and of the union of Jews and Gentiles in one church state, which shall long remain, and be undisturbed by enemies, who will be all slain, and their carcasses looked upon with contempt, Isa 66:18-24.