The verse highlights the incredible reversal of fortunes: Gentiles, once distant and unaware, will now actively bring Jewish people back to Jerusalem as a precious offering. This act mirrors the Israelites' own clean grain offerings, suggesting that the ingathering of all peoples is a sacred, intentional service to God.
And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes Isaiah's prophecy with a vision of future restoration and universal worship. Following God's judgment on his enemies and the purification of his people, the prophet foresees a time when the nations will bring exiled Jews back to Jerusalem as a sacred offering. This final act signifies the ultimate ingathering of God's people and the Gentile world into His holy city and presence.
Imagine a homecoming like no other, where people from every corner of the globe journey to a sacred place. This verse paints a vibrant picture of that ultimate reunion.
Isaiah 66:20 describes a future event where God's scattered people, the 'brethren,' are brought back to Jerusalem. This isn't just a return from exile; it's a picture of the redeemed from all nations being gathered into God's presence.
A Global Homecoming
This gathering speaks to the fulfillment of God's promise to gather His people, making them one in Himself.
How do people travel to a holy place? This verse lists an array of transport, highlighting both the effort and the celebratory nature of the journey.
The diverse modes of transportation mentioned – horses, chariots, litters, mules, and dromedaries – aren't just about logistics. They paint a picture of a grand procession, showing that God welcomes people from all walks of life and all levels of society.
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A Celebration of Inclusion
Understand the original words
minḥâ · Hebrew Noun
A sacrificial gift or tribute brought to God as an act of worship, dedication, or thanksgiving. In prophetic contexts, it often symbolizes the gathering of people as a holy offering to the Lord.
yərûšālayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The city chosen by God as the center of His worship, His earthly throne, and the focal point of His covenant relationship with His people. It signifies the place where God dwells among His people.
Isaiah's prophecy paints a future picture of global inclusion, where peoples from all nations will joyfully bring gathered Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem as a purified offering to the LORD. This vision contrasts sharply with the historical context of exile and return, highlighting a complete reversal where the scattered are brought home and the nations themselves participate in this divine restoration.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite, including many skilled craftsmen and prophets like Ezekiel, to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, further exiling the remaining Jewish population to Babylon.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated in Jerusalem, marking a significant milestone in the return from exile.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Mission to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem with a commission to restore Jewish law and religious practice.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, is appointed governor of Judah and oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls amidst opposition.
This passage describes a future gathering of nations to Jerusalem, echoing Isaiah's vision of diverse peoples journeying to the holy city.
Romans 15:16Paul uses similar language, referring to the Gentiles being offered as a 'living sacrifice' acceptable to God, highlighting the spiritual offering of converted people.
Luke 21:24This verse speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by the nations until the 'times of the Gentiles' are fulfilled, providing a contrasting but related perspective on the nations and Jerusalem.
Isaiah 49:22This earlier passage in Isaiah prophesies about nations bringing the dispersed Israelites back to Jerusalem, which parallels the theme of people being brought to Zion in this verse.
Revelation 21:24This passage in Revelation describes the nations walking in the light of the New Jerusalem, reflecting Isaiah's vision of people from all nations coming to God's holy mountain.
clarkeIsaiah 66:20: "And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD."
And in chariots "And in counes" - There is a sort of vehicle much used in the east, consisting of a pair of hampers or cradles, thrown across a camel's back, one on each sid…
pulpitIsaiah 66:20: "And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD."
Verse 20. - They shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord. When the distant Gentiles have been converted, they shall bring to Christ the Jews of the dispe…
The verse highlights the incredible reversal of fortunes: Gentiles, once distant and unaware, will now actively bring Jewish people back to Jerusalem as a precious offering. This act mirrors the Israelites' own clean grain offerings, suggesting that the ingathering of all peoples is a sacred, intentional service to God.
This passage concludes Isaiah's prophecy with a vision of future restoration and universal worship. Following God's judgment on his enemies and the purification of his people, the prophet foresees a time when the nations will bring exiled Jews back to Jerusalem as a sacred offering. This final act signifies the ultimate ingathering of God's people and the Gentile world into His holy city and presence.
This passage concludes Isaiah's prophecy with a vision of future restoration and universal worship. Following God's judgment on his enemies and the purification of his people, the prophet foresees a time when the nations will bring exiled Jews back to Jerusalem as a sacred offering. This final act signifies the ultimate ingathering of God's people and the Gentile world into His holy city and presence.
"And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring th…" — The verse highlights the incredible reversal of fortunes: Gentiles, once distant and unaware, will now actively bring Jewish people back to Jerusalem as a precious offering. This act mirrors the Isra…
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Last reviewed October 2026
