For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Read it in contextGod's True Dwelling and Judgment
Start reading at Isaiah 66:1 (Isaiah 66:1 to Isaiah 66:24).
This verse is part of the final chapter of Isaiah, which serves as a concluding prophecy summarizing themes of God's sovereignty, judgment, and the ultimate restoration of His people and creation. The chapter begins with God's declaration of His vastness and His true preference for a humble spirit.
66:1Thus 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?
66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
66:3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
66:5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
66:6A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
66:7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
66:8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
66:9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
66:10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
66:11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
66:12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
66:13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
66:14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
66:16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
66:17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
66:18For 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.
66:19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them 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 Gentiles.
66:20And 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.
66:21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
66:22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
66:23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
66:24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 65:1–66:24): The LORD answers concerning His servants and the rebellious, with Jerusalem's future and the nations in view. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God's sovereignty as the Creator of all things and His preference for a humble, contrite, and obedient spirit over outward religious structures or rituals. God reveals that His true regard is for the inner disposition of a person.
What is God revealing? God is revealing that He is the sole Creator of all things, and therefore does not need a house built by human hands (Isaiah 66:1). Instead, He looks with favor upon those who are humble, have a contrite spirit, and show reverence for His word.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophecy, delivered as a direct declaration from the LORD.
When
When was it written? The book of Isaiah was written between approximately 700 and 680 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The statement in this verse describes God's timeless character and His consistent regard for humility and obedience. While the broader context of Isaiah 66 speaks of future judgment and restoration, the principle of God looking to the humble is an enduring truth.
Where
Where did it happen? The passage describes God's universal presence, stating that 'The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool' (Isaiah 66:1). The focus is on God's perspective and character, which is not limited to a specific earthly location.
Where was the author located? The author, Isaiah, was located in Jerusalem when he wrote this prophecy. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in God's True Dwelling and Judgment (Isaiah 66:1 to Isaiah 66:24).
Start reading at Isaiah 66:1. This verse is part of the final chapter of Isaiah, which serves as a concluding prophecy summarizing themes of God's sovereignty, judgment, and the ultimate restoration of His people and creation. The chapter begins with God's declaration of His vastness and His true preference for a humble spirit.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as a foundational statement in the final chapter of Isaiah, which addresses themes of judgment and restoration. Following the LORD's question about a suitable house for Him (Isaiah 66:1), verse 2 clarifies that God's true dwelling and focus are not on physical structures but on the spiritual condition of a person. It sets the stage for contrasting acceptable worship (a humble spirit) with unacceptable rituals (Isaiah 66:3-4) and for the subsequent promises of comfort and judgment. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ as the ultimate example of one who was 'poor' in spirit, perfectly 'contrite' before God, and who 'trembled at' and perfectly obeyed God's word. Christ embodied the very qualities that God declares He looks upon with favor, demonstrating the path of humility and obedience that God desires from humanity. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, this verse calls believers to cultivate genuine humility, a contrite spirit, and a deep reverence for God's word. It reminds us that God values the inward disposition of the heart more than outward religious observances or impressive human achievements. Our focus should be on spiritual brokenness and obedience to God's commands, rather than relying on external forms of worship alone. interpretation
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words. Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 66
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.