Isaiah 66:19

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י

H7760

And I will set

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בָהֶ֜ם

א֗וֹת

H226

a sign

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֣י

H7971

among them and I will send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֵהֶ֣ם׀

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

פְּ֠לֵיטִים

H6412

those that escape

a refugee

אֶֽל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃

H1471

among the Gentiles

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

תַּרְשִׁ֨ישׁ

H8659

to Tarshish

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

#10

פּ֥וּל

H6322

Pul

pul, the name of an assyrian king and of an ethiopian tribe

#11

וְל֛וּד

H3865

and Lud

lud, the name of two nations

#12

מֹ֥שְׁכֵי

H4900

that draw

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

#13

קֶ֖שֶׁת

H7198

the bow

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

#14

תֻּבַ֣ל

H8422

to Tubal

tubal, a postdiluvian patriarch and his posterity

#15

וְיָוָ֑ן

H3120

and Javan

javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia

#16

הָאִיִּ֣ים

H339

to the isles

properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island

#17

הָרְחֹקִ֗ים

H7350

afar off

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

#18

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#19

לֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#20

שָׁמְע֤וּ

H8085

that have not heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

שִׁמְעִי֙

H8088

my fame

something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience

#23

וְלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#24

רָא֣וּ

H7200

neither have seen

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#25

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#26

כְּבוֹדִ֖י

H3519

my glory

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

#27

וְהִגִּ֥ידוּ

H5046

and they shall declare

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

#28

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#29

כְּבוֹדִ֖י

H3519

my glory

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

#30

בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃

H1471

among the Gentiles

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of glory connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about glory, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of glory differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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