Isaiah 56:7 - 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.”

Generated Verse: Isaiah 56:7

What does "Isaiah 56:7" mean?


Isaiah 56:7 speaks of a future time when God's house (likely referring to the Temple in Jerusalem) will be open to all peoples, not just the Israelites. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

"I will bring these to my holy mountain...": "These" refers to the foreigners and eunuchs mentioned in the preceding verses (Isaiah 56:3-6) who keep God's Sabbath and hold fast to His covenant. God promises to bring them to His "holy mountain," which is Mount Zion, the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.

"...and make them joyful in my house of prayer.": God's intention is not just to allow them into the Temple, but to make them joyful. This suggests a deep sense of belonging, acceptance, and spiritual fulfillment.

"Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar...": This is a crucial point. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, offerings were a means of atonement and worship. The fact that God will accept the sacrifices of foreigners demonstrates that they are now included in God's covenant and have access to His grace and forgiveness.

"...for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.": This is the key statement. The Temple, traditionally associated with the Israelites, will become a place of prayer for all nations. This signifies a universal scope of God's salvation and a breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles.

In summary, this verse signifies:

Inclusivity: God's salvation extends to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or background.
Acceptance: God welcomes those who sincerely seek Him and adhere to His covenant.
Universal Worship: The Temple will become a place where all nations can worship and pray to God.
Fulfillment: God's house will be a place of joy and spiritual fulfillment for all who enter it with a sincere heart.

Interpretation and Significance:

This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history:

Historically: Some understand it as a prophecy of a more inclusive Temple in the future. After the Babylonian exile, there was a greater openness to including foreigners in worship.
Prophetically: Christians often see it as a prophecy of the Church, which is a spiritual temple open to all believers, regardless of their background. Jesus quoted a portion of this verse (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46) when he cleansed the Temple, highlighting the importance of prayer and condemning its misuse for commercial purposes.
Theologically: It underscores the universal love and grace of God, who desires all people to come to Him and experience salvation. It challenges any form of exclusivity or discrimination within religious communities.

In essence, Isaiah 56:7 is a powerful vision of a future where God's presence and blessings are available to all who seek Him, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.