Isaiah 66:12

Authorized King James Version

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For 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.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה׀ H3541
כֹ֣ה׀
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 2 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר For thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר For thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִנְנִ֣י H2005
הִנְנִ֣י
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 5 of 20
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
נֹטֶֽה Behold I will extend H5186
נֹטֶֽה Behold I will extend
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 6 of 20
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֵ֠לֶיהָ H413
אֵ֠לֶיהָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
כְּנָהָ֨ר to her like a river H5104
כְּנָהָ֨ר to her like a river
Strong's: H5104
Word #: 8 of 20
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
שָׁל֜וֹם peace H7965
שָׁל֜וֹם peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 9 of 20
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וּכְנַ֧חַל stream H5158
וּכְנַ֧חַל stream
Strong's: H5158
Word #: 10 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
שׁוֹטֵ֛ף like a flowing H7857
שׁוֹטֵ֛ף like a flowing
Strong's: H7857
Word #: 11 of 20
to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
כְּב֥וֹד and the glory H3519
כְּב֥וֹד and the glory
Strong's: H3519
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
גּוֹיִ֖ם of the Gentiles H1471
גּוֹיִ֖ם of the Gentiles
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 13 of 20
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וִֽינַקְתֶּ֑ם then shall ye suck H3243
וִֽינַקְתֶּ֑ם then shall ye suck
Strong's: H3243
Word #: 14 of 20
to suck; causatively, to give milk
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 15 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
צַד֙ upon her sides H6654
צַד֙ upon her sides
Strong's: H6654
Word #: 16 of 20
a side; figuratively, an adversary
תִּנָּשֵׂ֔אוּ ye shall be borne H5375
תִּנָּשֵׂ֔אוּ ye shall be borne
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 17 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בִּרְכַּ֖יִם upon her knees H1290
בִּרְכַּ֖יִם upon her knees
Strong's: H1290
Word #: 19 of 20
a knee
תְּשָׁעֳשָֽׁעוּ׃ and be dandled H8173
תְּשָׁעֳשָֽׁעוּ׃ and be dandled
Strong's: H8173
Word #: 20 of 20
(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e., fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e., stare

Analysis & Commentary

God promises comprehensive blessing: "For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream." The imagery is abundant—peace (shalom) like a river (nahar), Gentile glory like a flowing stream (nachal shotef). Rivers and streams suggest continuous, abundant, life-giving flow. Peace encompasses total well-being, not merely absence of conflict. Gentile glory coming to Zion fulfills earlier promises (Isaiah 60:3-16). The verse continues with tender imagery: "then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees." Three verbs depict maternal care: nursing (yanaq), carrying (nasa), dandling/bouncing affectionately (sha'a). From a Reformed perspective, this describes comprehensive covenant blessing—spiritual peace, material provision, tender care. God provides everything His people need through His appointed means. The Gentile glory coming into the kingdom enriches the church. The maternal imagery emphasizes God's tender care for His people, mediated through the church community.

Historical Context

The post-exilic community experienced material hardship and political insecurity. God promised abundant peace and prosperity, particularly through Gentiles bringing resources. Initial fulfillment came through Persian support (Ezra 6:8-12, 7:11-26). Greater fulfillment came in the church age as Gentile believers brought resources to support gospel work (Romans 15:26-27, 2 Corinthians 8-9, Philippians 4:15-18). Complete fulfillment awaits the consummated kingdom where the nations bring their glory into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24-26) and God's people experience perfect peace and comprehensive care forever (Revelation 21:3-4, 22:1-5).

Questions for Reflection

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