Isaiah 66:19-21

66:19 I will perform a mighty act among them ¹  and then send some of those who remain to the nations – to Tarshish, Pul, ²  Lud ³  (known for its archers ⁴ ), Tubal, Javan, ⁵  and to the distant coastlands ⁶  that have not heard about me or seen my splendor. They will tell the nations of my splendor. 66:20 They will bring back all your countrymen ⁷  from all the nations as an offering to the Lord. They will bring them ⁸  on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules, and on camels ⁹  to my holy hill Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the Israelites bring offerings to the Lord’s temple in ritually pure containers. 66:21 And I will choose some of them as priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

[66:19]  ¹ tn Heb “and I will set a sign among them.” The precise meaning of this statement is unclear. Elsewhere “to set a sign” means “perform a mighty act” (Ps 78:43; Jer 32:20), “make [someone] an object lesson” (Ezek 14:8), and “erect a [literal] standard” (Ps 74:4).

[66:19]  ² tn Some prefer to read “Put” (i.e., Libya).

[66:19]  ³ sn That is, Lydia (in Asia Minor).

[66:19]  ⁴ tn Heb “drawers of the bow” (KJV and ASV both similar).

[66:19]  ⁵ sn Javan is generally identified today as Greece (so NIV, NCV, NLT).

[66:19]  ⁶ tn Or “islands” (NIV).

[66:20]  ⁷ tn Heb “brothers” (so NIV); NCV “fellow Israelites.”

[66:20]  ⁸ tn The words “they will bring them” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[66:20]  ⁹ tn The precise meaning of this word is uncertain. Some suggest it refers to “chariots.” See HALOT 498 s.v. *כִּרְכָּרָה.