Read & explore together
Salvation for Foreigners
Isaiah 56:1–8 calls people to live with justice, right conduct, Sabbath faithfulness and rejection of evil. It also speaks directly to foreigners and eunuchs who may fear being left outside Yahweh’s people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This prophecy opens with Yahweh’s command to maintain justice and do what is right because his salvation is near and his righteousness will soon be revealed. It then names the blessed person’s faithfulness, forbids words of exclusion from foreigners and eunuchs, and answers with promises of welcome, joy, acceptance and further gathering.
Isaiah 56:1–8Main takeaway
Yahweh calls for faithful obedience and promises welcome to those who join themselves to him and hold fast his covenant.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Justice because salvation is nearYahweh begins with a command: “Maintain justice and do what is right.” The reason is not hidden.
Explanation
Yahweh begins with a command: “Maintain justice and do what is right.” The reason is not hidden. His salvation is near and his righteousness will soon be revealed. The passage links daily conduct with confidence that Yahweh is about to show his saving and righteous action.
02The blessed person holds fastVerse 2 describes the blessed person through actions, not status. He “holds it fast”, keeps the Sabbath without profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
Explanation
Verse 2 describes the blessed person through actions, not status. He “holds it fast”, keeps the Sabbath without profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. In this passage, blessing is connected with steady faithfulness to what Yahweh has said.
03Words of exclusion are answeredYahweh names two painful fears. A foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh must not say he will be separated from Yahweh’s people.
Explanation
Yahweh names two painful fears. A foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh must not say he will be separated from Yahweh’s people. A eunuch must not call himself “a dry tree”. The passage does not leave these fears standing without reply.
04A lasting name for eunuchsYahweh answers eunuchs first. Those who keep his Sabbaths, choose the things that please him, and hold fast his covenant are promised “a memorial and a name” in his house and within his walls.
Explanation
Yahweh answers eunuchs first. Those who keep his Sabbaths, choose the things that please him, and hold fast his covenant are promised “a memorial and a name” in his house and within his walls. This name is everlasting and will not be cut off.
05Foreigners welcomed and others gatheredForeigners who join themselves to Yahweh are described as serving him, loving Yahweh’s name, being his servants, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast his covenant.
Explanation
Foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh are described as serving him, loving Yahweh’s name, being his servants, keeping the Sabbath, and holding fast his covenant. Yahweh will bring them to his holy mountain and give them joy in his house of prayer, “for all peoples”. He will also gather others besides Israel’s outcasts.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Yahweh tell people to maintain justice and do what is right?
Stay in verse 1 and look for the reason linked to Yahweh’s salvation and righteousness.
02What specific actions describe the blessed and faithful person in this passage?
Collect the repeated actions from verses 2, 4 and 6 rather than giving a general answer.
03How does Yahweh answer the fears spoken by the foreigner and the eunuch?
Compare verse 3 with the promises in verses 5, 7 and 8 about name, joy, acceptance and gathering.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 56:1–8
1Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”
4For Yahweh says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my covenant,
5I will give them 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 will not be cut off.
6Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh to serve him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant,
7I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
8The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”