This verse means God’s people will be elevated as priestly representatives who bring His light to all nations.
“But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God; You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.” (v.6) This declaration comes from the prophet Isaiah, who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah approximately between 740-681 BC under several kings. In the broader context of Isaiah 61, God is promising a future era of restoration and blessing for His people, who had experienced exile and oppression. By calling them “priests of the LORD” and “ministers of our God,” Isaiah foretells a time when God’s people will represent Him to the nations, living in a manner that draws the world to acknowledge the LORD’s supremacy. Their priestly function signifies both service to God and intercession or mediation for those around them—an echo of the calling that will later be applied by the Apostle Peter to all believers as a chosen priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and that is foreshadowed in passages discussing God’s people bearing witness among the nations (Isaiah 61:6).
The phrase “You will eat the wealth of nations” conveys that Israel and all who share in God’s covenant will partake of abundance and honor, reminiscent of God reversing their former shame. This promise is not merely about material riches; it also underscores spiritual abundance as God transforms His people’s status from oppressed to exalted. Isaiah’s audience, facing the distress of Babylonian exile or anticipating the worst under Assyrian threats, would have found great comfort and hope in this assurance that they would one day become active participants in God’s redemptive plan, serving as His representatives on earth.
God’s promise in Isaiah 61:6 aligns with the consistent biblical theme of restoring and elevating His people to a position of blessing and service.
Set to dark mode
Isaiah 61:6 meaning
“But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God; You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.” (v.6) This declaration comes from the prophet Isaiah, who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah approximately between 740-681 BC under several kings. In the broader context of Isaiah 61, God is promising a future era of restoration and blessing for His people, who had experienced exile and oppression. By calling them “priests of the LORD” and “ministers of our God,” Isaiah foretells a time when God’s people will represent Him to the nations, living in a manner that draws the world to acknowledge the LORD’s supremacy. Their priestly function signifies both service to God and intercession or mediation for those around them—an echo of the calling that will later be applied by the Apostle Peter to all believers as a chosen priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and that is foreshadowed in passages discussing God’s people bearing witness among the nations (Isaiah 61:6).
The phrase “You will eat the wealth of nations” conveys that Israel and all who share in God’s covenant will partake of abundance and honor, reminiscent of God reversing their former shame. This promise is not merely about material riches; it also underscores spiritual abundance as God transforms His people’s status from oppressed to exalted. Isaiah’s audience, facing the distress of Babylonian exile or anticipating the worst under Assyrian threats, would have found great comfort and hope in this assurance that they would one day become active participants in God’s redemptive plan, serving as His representatives on earth.
God’s promise in Isaiah 61:6 aligns with the consistent biblical theme of restoring and elevating His people to a position of blessing and service.