God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 66:1
1This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me?
Isaiah 66:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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?
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
Context of Isaiah 66:1
This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me? 2I have made all these things. “That is why all these things have come into being,” declares the Lord. I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry ⌞for their sins⌟ and who tremble at my word. 3Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog’s neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who ⌞offers⌟ pig’s blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in detestable things.
Read all of Isaiah 66Isaiah 66:1 word by word
כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם כִּסְאִ֔י וְהָאָ֖רֶץ הֲדֹ֣ם רַגְלָ֑י אֵי־זֶ֥ה בַ֙יִת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּבְנוּ־לִ֔י וְאֵי־זֶ֥ה מָק֖וֹם מְנוּחָתִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- The heavenשָׁמַיִםshâmayim shâmeh · heavenH8064
- my throneכִּסֵּאkissê' kissêh · throneH3678
- and the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- my footstoolהֲדֹםhădôm · footstoolH1916
- my footstoolרֶ֫גֶלregel · footH7272
- the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: templeH1004
- that ye buildבָּנָהbânâh · to buildH1129
- the placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
- of my restמְנוּחָהmenûchâh menûchâh · restingH4496
Cross-references for Isaiah 66:1
- 1 Kings 8:27“Does God really live on earth? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built?
- 1 Chronicles 28:2David stood in front of them and said, “Listen to me, my relatives and subjects. I had my heart set on building the temple where the ark of the Lord’s promise could be placed. This temple would be a stool for our God’s feet, and I have made preparations to build it.
- 2 Chronicles 6:18“Does God really live on earth with people? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built?
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.
- Psalms 99:9Highly honor the Lord our God. Bow at his holy mountain. The Lord our God is holy!
- Psalms 132:7Let’s go to his dwelling place. Let’s worship at his footstool.
- Matthew 5:34But I tell you don’t swear an oath at all. Don’t swear an oath by heaven, which is God’s throne,
- Matthew 23:21To swear an oath by the temple is to swear by it and by the one who lives there.
- Acts 17:24The God who made the universe and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in shrines made by humans,
- 2 Samuel 7:5“Say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one who will build me a house to live in?
- Jeremiah 7:4Do not trust the words of this saying, “This is the Lord’s temple, the Lord’s temple, the Lord’s temple!” It’s a lie.
- Malachi 1:11“From the nations where the sun rises to the nations where the sun sets, my name will be great. Incense and pure offerings will be offered everywhere in my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of Armies.
- Matthew 24:2Jesus said to them, “You see all these buildings, don’t you? I can guarantee this truth: Not one of these stones will be left on top of another. Each one will be torn down.”
- John 4:20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that people must worship in Jerusalem.”
- Acts 7:48“However, the Most High doesn’t live in a house built by humans, as the prophet says:
Commentaries on Isaiah 66:1
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1The heaven is my throne - (See the notes at Isaiah 57:15). Here he is represented as having his seat or throne there. He speaks as a king. heaven is the place where he holds his court; from where he dispenses his commands; and from where he surveys all his works (compare 2 Chronicles 6:18; Matthew 5:34). The idea here is, that as God dwelt in the vast and distant heavens, no house that could be built on earth could be magnificent enough to be his abode…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1God looks at the heart, and vengeance is threatened for guilt. (Is. 66:1-4) The increase of the church, when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered to the Redeemer. (Is. 66:5-14) Every enemy of the church shall be destroyed, and the final ruin of ungodly men shall be seen. (Is. 66:15-24) Verses 1-4 The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1My throne … My footstool: God's kingdom extends over all creation (see Isaiah 40:22; Matthew 5:34–035). house … place of repose: The entire universe is God's home, so humans cannot confine him to a building (see 1 Kings 8:27). Stephen quoted Isaiah 66:1–2a in his final sermon (Acts 7:49–50).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-24This closing chapter is the summary of Isaiah's prophecies as to the last days, hence the similarity of its sentiments with what went before. 1. heaven ... throne ... where is ... house ... ye build--The same sentiment is expressed, as a precautionary proviso for the majesty of God in deigning to own any earthly temple as His, as if He could be circumscribed by space (1Ki 8:27) in inaugurating the temple of stone; next, as to the temple of the Holy Ghost…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 66:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 66
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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