Isaiah 66:5
Hear 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.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְעוּ֙
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעוּ֙
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דְּבָר֑וֹ
at his word
H1697
דְּבָר֑וֹ
at his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה
Let the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Let the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דְּבָר֑וֹ
at his word
H1697
דְּבָר֑וֹ
at his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲחֵיכֶ֨ם
Your brethren
H251
אֲחֵיכֶ֨ם
Your brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
8 of 18
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
מְנַדֵּיכֶ֗ם
you that cast you out
H5077
מְנַדֵּיכֶ֗ם
you that cast you out
Strong's:
H5077
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to toss; figuratively, to exclude, i.e., banish, postpone, prohibit
לְמַ֤עַן
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
שְׁמִי֙
for my name's
H8034
שְׁמִי֙
for my name's
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יִכְבַּ֣ד
be glorified
H3513
יִכְבַּ֣ד
be glorified
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
13 of 18
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
יְהוָ֔ה
Let the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Let the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְנִרְאֶ֥ה
but he shall appear
H7200
וְנִרְאֶ֥ה
but he shall appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
15 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Isaiah 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.Psalms 38:20They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.Matthew 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.Isaiah 5:19That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!Proverbs 13:13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.Jeremiah 36:16Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.John 9:34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.Song of Solomon 1:6Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.1 John 3:13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.Luke 13:17And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Historical Context
The post-exilic community divided between faithful and compromising. The faithful remnant faced opposition from the religious majority (Nehemiah 6:10-14, Malachi 3:13-18). This pattern intensified in Jesus' era—the faithful few following Christ were excommunicated from synagogues (John 9:22, 12:42, 16:2). Throughout church history, reformers and revivalists faced persecution from established religious institutions. The promise of vindication sustained them—God would appear to demonstrate who truly served Him (Malachi 3:17-18, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'tremble at God's word' in contemporary context?
- How should believers respond when persecuted by religious people claiming to serve God?
- What comfort does God's promised vindication provide to those currently facing opposition for faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God addresses the faithful remnant: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word." The Hebrew charadim (tremble) describes reverential fear and responsive obedience—those who take God's word seriously. These face opposition: "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." The faithful experience hatred and excommunication from their own ethnic/religious community. The opponents' taunt, "Let the LORD be glorified," suggests they justified persecution as serving God—a bitter irony. Yet God promises vindication: He will appear to the faithful's joy and persecutors' shame. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the perennial experience of the true church suffering persecution from nominal religion. Jesus warned that expulsion from synagogues would be considered service to God (John 16:2). Paul experienced persecution from fellow Jews (Acts 9:23, 2 Corinthians 11:24-26). True believers often face their fiercest opposition from religious establishment, not pagans. Yet God promises eschatological vindication.