Isaiah 66:18-19
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While the verse starts with God’s omniscience about people’s works and thoughts, the crucial pivot is that this knowledge isn't just for judgment. It’s the prelude to His glory being revealed and sought after by all nations, not just Israel, signifying an incredible expansion of His kingdom.
“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage appears at the very end of Isaiah's prophecy, following a dramatic depiction of God's coming judgment on all nations and those who oppose Him. It concludes a series of visions about future restoration, judgment, and the new heavens and new earth.
Why does the Bible sometimes start a sentence without a verb? What does this omission reveal about God's perspective on our works and thoughts?
God Sees It All
The opening of Isaiah 66:18 is a bit unusual in the Hebrew text – it seems to be missing a verb! Scholars debate whether this was intentional for emphasis or an accidental omission.
But the core message is clear: God knows. He knows our actions ('works') and He knows what's going on inside us ('thoughts').
Think about it: in a world where we can often hide our true selves, God's gaze is penetrating. He doesn't just see the surface; He understands the motivations, the secret desires, the hidden intentions behind everything we do. This isn't just a statement of fact; it’s a foundation for what comes next.
God's plan isn't limited to one people. What does it mean that He will gather 'all nations and tongues'?
A Diverse Congregation
Following the certainty of God's knowledge, the verse pivots to a breathtaking vision: God's future plan to 'gather all nations and tongues.'
This wasn't a common thought in ancient Israel, who often saw themselves as distinct from and superior to other peoples. But Isaiah, looking far into God's redemptive plan, sees a future where people from every background will be brought into relationship with Him.
This points to a universal scope of God's love and purpose. The confusion of languages at Babel is being undone, and a unified people, diverse in origin but one in worship, will stand before Him. It's a powerful picture of reconciliation and inclusion.
Ask a follow-up
What happens when all these gathered people 'shall come and shall see my glory'? What does that glory look like?
The Revelation of Majesty
After knowing their works and thoughts, and after decreeing the gathering of all peoples, the climax is this: 'And they shall come and shall see my glory.'
This glory isn't just a fleeting light; it's the unveiled presence and character of God Himself. It's the display of His power, His holiness, His justice, and His love, made manifest in His actions and His ultimate plan.
For those who have seen their own works and thoughts laid bare before His knowledge, and for those gathered from every corner of the earth, seeing His glory will be a profound experience. It's the moment where truth is fully revealed, judgment is understood, and salvation is fully realized in His presence. It's the ultimate destination – to stand in awe and wonder before the magnificence of the Creator.
Understand the original words
kāḇôd · Hebrew Noun
The manifested presence, weight, majesty, or splendor of God. It refers to the radiance of His character and power revealed to His creation.
ʾôt · Hebrew Noun
A mark, miracle, or divine token intended to serve as a proof or signal of God's power, presence, or intent to humanity. It is meant to evoke awe and recognition of His sovereign action.
This prophecy comes at a time of deep devastation following the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonians. Despite this profound crisis, Isaiah speaks of a future gathering of all nations and a manifestation of God's glory, offering a message of hope that transcends immediate suffering and points to a universal redemption.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many of its citizens. This event marked a significant loss of the covenant people and foreshadowed future exiles.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians invade Judah, deporting a number of its people, including members of the royal family and the intellectual elite. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, is sent to Babylon following further conflict with Nebuchadnezzar. The destruction of the temple is imminent.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, scattering the remaining population and ending Judah as an independent kingdom. This event is a profound crisis for God's people.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Permits Return
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus, conquers Babylon. Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
Early 1st Century AD
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea is under Roman occupation, with a complex system of governance and simmering tensions. This period sets the stage for Jesus' ministry and the spread of the Gospel.
This passage describes all nations coming to Jerusalem to worship the LORD Almighty, echoing the gathering of nations in Isaiah to see His glory.
Revelation 7:9This vision shows a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and the Lamb, directly paralleling the gathering of 'all nations and tongues' to see God's glory.
Psalm 97:6The psalmist declares that 'the heavens declare his righteousness,' and all peoples 'see his glory,' which aligns with the nations witnessing God's glory in Isaiah.
John 1:14The verse states that 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,' reflecting the theme of God's glory being revealed and visible to humanity.
Isaiah 40:5This earlier prophecy by Isaiah proclaims, 'And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together,' which is a foundational concept fulfilled in the passage you shared.
clarkeIsaiah 66:18: "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."
For I know their works - A word is here lost out of the present text, leaving the text quite imperfect. The word is יודע yodea, knowing, supplied from the Syriac. The Chaldee had the same word in the copy before him, which he paraphrases by קדמי גלן kedemi gelon, their deeds are manifest before me; and the Aldine and Complutensian edition…
jfbIsaiah 66:18: "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."
- know—not in the Hebrew. Rather, understand the words by aposiopesis; it is usual in threats to leave the persons threatened to supply the hiatus from their own fears, owing to conscious guilt: "For I … their works and thoughts," &c.; namely, will punish [Maurer].it shall come—the time is come that I will, &c. [Maurer].gather … nations—a…
While the verse starts with God’s omniscience about people’s works and thoughts, the crucial pivot is that this knowledge isn't just for judgment. It’s the prelude to His glory being revealed and sought after by all nations, not just Israel, signifying an incredible expansion of His kingdom.
This passage appears at the very end of Isaiah's prophecy, following a dramatic depiction of God's coming judgment on all nations and those who oppose Him. It concludes a series of visions about future restoration, judgment, and the new heavens and new earth.
This passage appears at the very end of Isaiah's prophecy, following a dramatic depiction of God's coming judgment on all nations and those who oppose Him. It concludes a series of visions about future restoration, judgment, and the new heavens and new earth.
"“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tars…" — While the verse starts with God’s omniscience about people’s works and thoughts, the crucial pivot is that this knowledge isn't just for judgment. It’s the prelude to His glory being revealed and sou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
