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Isaiah Chapter 56 (WEB)

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Isaiah 56 - A House of Prayer for All People
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1 Thus says Yahweh, Keep you justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.

3 Neither let the foreigner, who has joined himself to Yahweh, speak, saying, Yahweh will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

4 For thus says Yahweh of the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant:

5 To them will I give 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 shall not be cut off.

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

7 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 on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

8 The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, Yet will I gather [others] to him, besides his own who are gathered.

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

10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they can't bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11 Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds who can't understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12 Come you, [say they], I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, [a day] great beyond measure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah 56 about?
It promises eunuchs and foreigners who keep the sabbath and hold to God's covenant 'an everlasting name' and a place in his house (vv.4-7), declaring 'mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people' (v.7) - a verse later quoted by Jesus in Mark 11:17.
What does Isaiah 56 promise to eunuchs?
Verses 4-5 promise eunuchs who keep the sabbath and hold fast God's covenant 'a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters...an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off' - a notable inclusion given ancient restrictions on eunuchs' standing.
What does Isaiah 56 say about Israel's watchmen?
Verses 10-11 harshly criticize the nation's leaders as blind watchmen and 'dumb dogs' that cannot bark, greedy and self-seeking shepherds who 'look to their own way, every one for his gain.'

Today's Verse

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 17:2 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

That phrase, 'a house of prayer for all people,' is quoted directly in Mark 11:17, making a sharp contrast with the chapter's closing rebuke of Israel's watchmen as blind, silent dogs who cannot bark. The indictment of unfaithful leaders continues in Isaiah 57.