Isaiah 66:1
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is the footstool of My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

Amplified Bible
This is what the LORD says, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where, then, is a house that you could build for Me? And where will My resting place be?

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where could you possibly build a house for me? And where would my resting place be?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house could you possibly build for Me? And what place could be My home?

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: Heaven is my throne; the earth is my footstool. What kind of house could you build for me? In what place will I rest?

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD; The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me?

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house, then, could you build for me, what kind of place for me to live in?

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you would build for me, and where will my resting place be?

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

NET Bible
This is what the LORD says: "The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I will rest?

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool of my feet. Where then is the house you could build for me? And where then is the place of my rest?

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build to me? and where is the place of my rest?

World English Bible
Yahweh says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “The heavens [are] My throne, "" And the earth My footstool, "" Where [is] this—the house that you build for Me? And where [is] this—the place—My rest?

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah: The heavens are My throne, And the earth My footstool, Where is this -- the house that ye build for Me? And where is this -- the place -- My rest?

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, The heavens my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet: where this house which ye will build to me? and where this place of my rest?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
THUS saith the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool: what is this house that you will build to me? and what is this place of my rest?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What is this house that you would build for me? And what is this place of my rest?

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: The heavens are my throne, the earth, my footstool. What house can you build for me? Where is the place of my rest?

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THUS says the LORD: Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool; what is the house that you build for me? And what is the place of my rest?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Heaven is my throne and Earth the footstool of my feet. What is the house that you are building for me, or what is the place of my rest?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD: The heaven is My throne, And the earth is My footstool; Where is the house that ye may build unto Me? And where is the place that may be My resting-place?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what kind of a house will ye build me? and of what kind is to be the place of my rest?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Heaven is My Throne
1This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? 2Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.…

Cross References
Acts 7:49-50
‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

Matthew 5:34-35
But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 115:16
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Zechariah 12:1
This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

Job 38:4-7
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...

Hebrews 1:10
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Hebrews 8:1
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Revelation 21:22
But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Revelation 4:2
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?

the heaven

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

1 Chronicles 28:2
Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

where is the house

2 Samuel 7:5-7
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? …

Jeremiah 7:4-11
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

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Isaiah 66
1. The glorious God will be served in humble sincerity
5. He comforts the humble by showing the confusion of their enemies
7. With the marvelous growth
10. And the gracious benefits of the church
15. God's severe judgments against the wicked
18. The Gentiles shall have an holy church
24. And see the damnation of the wicked














This is what the LORD says
This phrase introduces a divine proclamation, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase sets the tone for a message that is not merely prophetic but carries the weight of divine authority.

Heaven is My throne
The imagery of heaven as God's throne underscores His majesty and supreme authority over all creation. In Hebrew, "heaven" is "shamayim," which often denotes the sky or the abode of God. The concept of a throne signifies rulership and judgment, reminding believers of God's omnipotence and His rightful place as the King of Kings. This phrase invites reflection on the transcendence of God, who is not confined to earthly realms.

and the earth is My footstool
The earth being described as God's footstool conveys His dominion over the physical world. The Hebrew word for "earth" is "erets," which can mean land or the entire world. A footstool, in ancient Near Eastern culture, was a symbol of subjugation and authority. This imagery highlights the vastness of God's reign and the humility with which humanity should approach Him, recognizing that all creation is under His feet.

What kind of house will you build for Me
This rhetorical question challenges human attempts to contain or limit God within physical structures. The Hebrew word for "house" is "bayit," which can refer to a dwelling or temple. Historically, this reflects the context of the Israelites who built the Temple in Jerusalem. However, God is emphasizing that no earthly structure can encapsulate His glory. It calls believers to consider the true nature of worship, which transcends physical buildings and is rooted in spirit and truth.

or where will My place of repose be?
The phrase "place of repose" suggests a resting place or dwelling. In Hebrew, "repose" is "menuchah," which implies rest or tranquility. This question further illustrates the futility of confining God to a specific location. It points to the deeper truth that God's presence is not limited to temples made by human hands but is found wherever His people honor Him with sincere hearts. This invites believers to seek a personal relationship with God, understanding that He desires to dwell within us, making our hearts His true sanctuary.

LXVI.

(1) The heaven is my throne . . .--We are left to conjecture the historical starting-point of this utterance of a Divine truth. Was the prophet condemning in advance the restoration of the temple on the return from Babylon, or, as some critics have supposed, the intention of some of the exiles to build a temple in the land of their captivity, as others did afterwards at Leontopolis in Egypt? Was he anticipating the vision of the Apocalypse, that in the new Jerusalem there was to be "no temple" (Revelation 21:22)? Neither of these views is satisfactory, Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 60:7, and the writings of Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, all pre-supposing the existence of a new temple. It seems better to see in the words the utterance, in its strongest form, of the truth that God dwelleth, not in temples made with hands, that utterance being compatible, as in the case of Solomon himself (2Chronicles 6:18), of our Lord (John 2:16-17; John 4:21-23), of St. Stephen, who quoted this passage (Acts 7:48-50), with the profoundest reverence for the visible sanctuary. Cheyne quotes a striking parallel from an Egyptian hymn to the Nile of the fourteenth century B.C., in which we find the writer saying of God, "His abode is not known . . . there is no building that can contain Him." (Records of the Past, iv. 109.) . . .

Verses 1-4. - THE UNGODLY EXILES REBUKED. Israel, being about to return from the Captivity, had the design of rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the temple worship. God rebukes this design in persons devoid of any spirit of holiness, and warns them that mere formal outward worship is an abomination to him (vers. 1-3). In ver. 4 he threatens them with punishment. Verse 1. - Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool (comp. Psalm 11:4; Psalm 103:19). The Hebrews, while they earnestly desired to have a material emblem of the presence of God in their midst, were deeply impressed with the feeling that no temple could be worthy of him, or other than most unworthy. "Will God," said Solomon, "indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heavens of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (1 Kings 8:27). And again, "Who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before trim?" (2 Chronicles 2:6). Thus Isaiah's note of warning was no novelty, and might rind responsive echoes in the hearts of many. Where is the house that ye build unto me? rather, what manner of house is it that ye would build to me, add what manner of place for my rest? God needs no "house;" and they cannot build him a house that could be in any way worthy of him. They, moreover, are unworthy to build him any house, which is the real ground of the refusal. There was no refusal, when the better part of the exiles, having returned, took the building in hand (see Ezra 3:8-13; Ezra 6:14, 15; Haggai 1:8-14; Zechariah 1:16; Zechariah 4:9, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Heaven
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

is My throne,
כִּסְאִ֔י (kis·’î)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

and earth
וְהָאָ֖רֶץ (wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

is My footstool.
הֲדֹ֣ם (hă·ḏōm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1916: A stool, footstool

What kind
אֵי־ (’ê-)
Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

of house
בַ֙יִת֙ (ḇa·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

will you build
תִּבְנוּ־ (tiḇ·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

for Me?
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

Or where [will be]
וְאֵי־ (wə·’ê-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

My place
מָק֖וֹם (mā·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

of repose?
מְנוּחָתִֽי׃ (mə·nū·ḥā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4496: Repose, peacefully, consolation, an abode


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 66:1 Thus says Yahweh heaven is my throne (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 65:25
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