Isaiah 66:21

And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 66:21 (KJV)

Context

Isaiah 66 closes the book of Isaiah with a vision of God’s ultimate restoration of Jerusalem and His gathering of people from all nations. In the preceding verse, the nations bring the dispersed Israelites as an offering to the Lord (Isaiah 66:20). Verse 21 then records God’s own promise: He will take some of these very ones and appoint them as priests and Levites.

Meaning

The phrase “take of them” points directly to those brought from the diaspora, as described in Isaiah 66:20. Traditionally, the priesthood was limited to the descendants of Levi, especially Aaron’s line. This verse introduces a significant development: God Himself will choose people from among the scattered Israelites and set them apart for priestly and Levitical service. The pronoun “them” is understood by many interpreters to include the Gentiles who accompany the returning exiles, making this a radical statement of inclusion. Under the Old Covenant, Gentiles were excluded from the priesthood, but here God declares His sovereign initiative to select and appoint whom He wills. This signals a new era in which the old priestly order would be changed, and God would raise up priests from among the nations.

Biblical connections

This promise anticipates the New Testament reality where the distinction between Jew and Gentile is broken down in Christ. The apostle Peter describes all believers as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), called to represent God and minister to others. While Isaiah 66:21 speaks of a specific act of God selecting some from the nations for priestly service, it also foreshadows the broader spiritual priesthood of all believers. The verse emphasizes God’s sovereign choice and His faithfulness to include all who turn to Him in His redemptive plan.

Application

For believers today, this verse underscores God’s desire for a diverse, unified worshiping community. Salvation is not confined to a particular ethnic group or lineage; in Christ, all are one. The promise of inclusion reminds us that God calls people from every background to be part of His chosen priesthood. It also challenges us to pursue heartfelt worship marked by gratitude, obedience, and humility, rather than mere external rituals.

Reflection

Isaiah 66:21 affirms God’s authority and the certainty of His promise. He takes, He chooses, and He appoints. This truth brings comfort and hope, knowing that our service to God is not based on human lineage or merit but on His gracious calling. It also calls us to recognize the dignity of all whom God has called, and to rejoice in the universal worship that will mark the new heavens and new earth.