Bible Strands
Isaiah 66:21
“And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses the restored community in Jerusalem immediately after promising the gathering of Gentile believers to the holy mountain. The declaration follows the vision of nations bringing offerings to the house of the LORD.
The words — The Hebrew verb אֶקּחַ ('e.Kach) literally means "I will take," directly governing לַכֹּהֲנִים (la.ko.ha.Nim, "to priests") and לַלְוִיִּם (la.l.vi.Yim, "to Levites"). The conjunction וְגַם (ve./gam-) translates as "and also," linking this action to the preceding promise.
The thread — This divine selection of priests and Levites from the nations echoes Exodus 19:6's kingdom of priests and Isaiah 61:6's title for God's people, later applied to the church in 1 Peter 2:9. The motif extends the Levitical office beyond ethnic Israel to include the gathered Gentiles.
Why it lands — The text states that God will actively choose priests and Levites from among the nations, not exclusively from Israel. It requires the reader to acknowledge that sacred service is granted by divine election to a multi-ethnic people.
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
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Exodus 19:6 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
- Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 1:6 who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
- Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
- Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
- Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”