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Isaiah 66 · a question people ask

Isaiah's last verse (66:24) is hard to read. What does the chapter say of it?

In the text

The verse stands in its own quotation marks, after "says the LORD" (66:23). It says, "for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched" (66:24). The chapter doesn't say who They are at the start of 66:24, and these notes don't either. In Hebrew transgressed (66:24) is pasha', the verb of the book's first charge, "they have rebelled against me" (Isaiah 1:2), and the chapter on Isaiah 1 notes it. In Mark 9 Jesus says, "where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48); the chapter's line to Jesus sets the two side by side and gives its two readings, and this answer adds none. The chapter gives no teaching on judgment beyond the words of 66:24, and these notes build none.

The verses

“It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says the LORD. “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.””
Isaiah 66:23-24 · World English Bible
“Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me.”
Isaiah 1:2 · World English Bible
“‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’”
Mark 9:48 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 66

Isaiah 66: Heaven is my throne

In Isaiah 66 the one whose throne is heaven says whom he looks to: "he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word" (66:2), where contrite is a Hebrew word used elsewhere only of a man "lame in his feet" (2 Samuel 9:3). And the book's last comfort is the LORD's own: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you" (66:13).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions