The Bible — World English Bible

Isaiah 56

In brief

Isaiah 56 opens the last part of the book with a call to justice and faithfulness. God announces that the foreigner and the eunuch, whom the law of the time kept at a distance from the assembly, will have a place and an everlasting name in his house, which will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. The chapter ends with a stern rebuke of the watchmen of the people, blind, asleep and concerned only with their own gain. Jesus would quote verse 7 when he cleansed the temple.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-2Practicing justice and keeping the Sabbath
  2. v. 3-5The foreigner and the eunuch are not excluded
  3. v. 6-8A house of prayer for all peoples
  4. v. 9-12The blind and sleeping watchmen

1Yahweh says, “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

2Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”

4For Yahweh says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my covenant,

5I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

6Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh to serve him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant,

7I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

8The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”

9All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12“Come,” say they, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”

Key verses

Verse 3
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”

Let no foreigner or eunuch say they are excluded: God answers in advance those who thought they were kept out of his people. His welcome depends neither on origin nor on circumstances.

Verse 5
I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

God promises those who hold fast to him a place and a name better than sons and daughters, an everlasting name. The one who saw himself without descendants receives a memory that nothing can erase.

Verse 7
I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

A verse Jesus quoted in the temple: God's house is made for prayer and open to all peoples. It invites us to ask whether the Church looks like that.

Verse 10-11
His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

The leaders of the people are compared to mute dogs and to shepherds who understand nothing. The rebuke is aimed at those who pursue their own interest instead of watching over the flock.

Bible verses to meditate on

What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 56

What does it mean that God's house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples?

This verse, Isaiah 56:7, announces that the place where people meet God is not reserved for a single nation. Jesus quotes it as he cleanses the temple, to remind everyone that God's house is first of all a place of prayer open to all, not a place of trade.

Why does Isaiah 56 speak about eunuchs and foreigners?

Under the law, they could be kept away from the assembly. God tells them they will not be excluded: those who hold fast to him, keep his covenant and choose what pleases him will receive a place and an everlasting name in his house.

What is the main message of Isaiah 56?

God's salvation is open to all who hold fast to him, whatever their origin, and it calls for a life of justice. The chapter also warns the leaders who neglect the flock: welcoming all peoples requires watchmen who are awake and faithful.

Articles quoting Isaiah 56

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World English Bible translation — public domain.