Isaiah 66:1
Thus 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?
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
The heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
The heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
4 of 18
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
כִּסְאִ֔י
is my throne
H3678
כִּסְאִ֔י
is my throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
רַגְלָ֑י
is my footstool
H7272
רַגְלָ֑י
is my footstool
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
8 of 18
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
בַ֙יִת֙
where is the house
H1004
בַ֙יִת֙
where is the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Acts 17:24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;1 Kings 8:27But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?Psalms 132:7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.Psalms 11:4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.1 Chronicles 28:2Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:2 Chronicles 6:18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!Psalms 99:9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.Matthew 24:2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.Malachi 1:11For 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.
Historical Context
Stephen quoted this in Acts 7:49-50 when challenging Jewish temple-fixation. Post-exilic focus on rebuilding temple needed this corrective - God values humble hearts over elaborate buildings. Jesus declared His body the true temple (John 2:19-21), making material structures obsolete.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance reverence for God's transcendent greatness with confidence in His immanent nearness?
- What 'houses' (religious structures, traditions, programs) do you wrongly think contain or impress God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's rhetorical questions 'where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?' challenge all human presumption to contain or serve God. The cosmic vision 'The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool' establishes God's transcendent greatness - no temple (even Solomon's) adequately houses Him. Yet verse 2 shows He dwells with contrite hearts - God is simultaneously transcendent and immanent.