Bible Strands
Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD declares judgment to Israel regarding those who engage in forbidden pagan rituals. This statement follows a warning that God will execute judgment on all flesh by fire and sword, and precedes a promise to gather all nations to see His glory.
The words — The Hebrew מִתְקַדִּשִׁים (mitkadishim) means "who consecrate themselves," and מִטַּהֲרִים (mitaharim) means "who purify themselves." These terms describe ritual preparation for entering forbidden gardens.
The thread — This practice of garden worship connects to the idolatry condemned in Isaiah 65:3, while the prohibition against eating swine and vermin aligns with the dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:3 and Leviticus 11:2.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that ritual purity is worthless when directed toward forbidden practices. It warns that participating in these abominations results in collective destruction rather than divine favor.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 65:3 to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,
- Deuteronomy 14:3 You must not eat any detestable thing.
- Leviticus 11:2 “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat:
- Isaiah 1:28 But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.