What Does Isaiah 66:21 Mean in the King James?
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Levites’ name echoes joining, so this return does more than restore a people to place: it joins some from their midst to sacred service.
THE MEANING
When you are brought near, the movement does not end at arrival: this verse pictures priestly and Levite service emerging from within the gathered people. Levi’s name echoes joining, so restoration includes being joined to a shared work of worship.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that displacement leaves a people permanently outside worship’s life: those gathered from far places can be drawn into its service.
THE ROOT
לַלְוִיִּם
la-Leviyyim
GROWS FROM
לוה
To join, attach, or accompany.
“Levites” is the tribal name Levi in a priestly role, and Genesis links Levi’s name to לָוָה (lavah), “to join.” Isaiah uses the same root for someone joining himself to the LORD; here, the name carries a resonance of joining people into sacred service.
ALSO GROWS
lavah: To join or attach.
לָוָה
Leah says her husband will be joined to her, and names her son Levi (Genesis 29:34); the connection gives “Levites” an echo of joining.
nilvah: Joined himself; attached himself.
נִלְוָה
Isaiah 56:3 uses this form for a foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD, echoing the movement from gathering into belonging.
THE PATTERN
Gathering people near to God forms a people whose belonging includes shared worship and service.
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:THE THREAD
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.Levi’s name is linked to לָוָה (lavah, “to join”), the same root echoed in “Levites” here. Isaiah’s wording gives the gathering a further movement: some among the people are joined into priestly service.
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