But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
the work
Isaiah 19:25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
Isaiah 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
Isaiah 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
sanctify
Isaiah 5:16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
fear the God
Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
the work of My hands
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and creative power. The children of Israel are not just biological descendants but are shaped and formed by God's divine intervention and purpose. This echoes Isaiah 64:8, where God is described as the potter and His people as the clay. It underscores the idea that Israel's restoration is not due to their merit but is a result of God's gracious work.
they will honor My name
Honoring God's name involves recognizing His holiness, authority, and character. In the biblical context, a name represents the essence of a person. This phrase indicates a return to true worship and reverence for God, fulfilling the commandment to not take the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). It reflects a transformation in the hearts of the people, aligning with the prophetic vision of a renewed covenant relationship.
they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob
Sanctifying the Holy One means setting God apart as holy and acknowledging His unique position as the God of Israel. The title "Holy One of Jacob" connects to the covenantal relationship established with the patriarchs. This sanctification is a response to God's redemptive acts and is a theme throughout Isaiah, where God's holiness is a central attribute (Isaiah 6:3).
and they will stand in awe of the God of Israel
Standing in awe implies a deep reverence and fear of the Lord, recognizing His majesty and power. This response is often seen in theophanies and divine encounters throughout Scripture, such as Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6). The phrase "God of Israel" reaffirms God's special relationship with His chosen people, highlighting His faithfulness to His promises despite their unfaithfulness. This awe is a result of witnessing God's mighty acts and serves as a call to worship and obedience.
Isaiah pictures Jacob—representing the nation of Israel—looking around and finding himself surrounded by a thriving, restored family. Centuries of discipline and exile melt away when the patriarch beholds the evidence of God’s covenant faithfulness.
• Isaiah 60:4 echoes the scene: “Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the hip”.
• Psalm 128:3 celebrates a similar domestic blessing, with children “like olive shoots around your table.”
• The promise also looks forward to the ultimate regathering foretold in Ezekiel 37:21–22, when scattered Israelites come home under one Shepherd.
God reminds His people that these children are not merely the fruit of human effort; they are “the work of My hands.”
• Isaiah 64:8 affirms, “We are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand”.
• Ephesians 2:10 applies the same truth to every believer: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
• This phrase directs praise away from human strength and fixes it on the Creator who fashions both physical life and spiritual renewal.
Restored children respond to grace with reverence: “they will honor My name.”
• Malachi 1:11 anticipates global worship: “My name will be great among the nations.”
• Jesus teaches disciples to pray, “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9), picking up the same heartbeat.
• Genuine honor flows from recognizing God’s character and submitting to His lordship, turning restored families into worshiping communities.
To sanctify is to set apart as holy. Israel will finally treat their covenant God as utterly unique.
• Isaiah 8:13 calls the people to “regard the LORD of Hosts as holy and honor Him as holy.”
• Leviticus 22:32 insists, “You must not profane My holy name, so that I may be sanctified among the Israelites.”
• 1 Peter 3:15 carries the mandate into the church age: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.”
The restored nation, and all who join them by faith, will publicly acknowledge God’s holiness and live differently because of it.
Reverence culminates in awe—an attitude that combines wonder, fear, and delight.
• Psalm 33:8 commands, “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him.”
• Deuteronomy 10:12 ties awe to obedience: “What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God…?”
• Revelation 15:4 shows the nations echoing this future chorus: “Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?”
Awe moves worshipers beyond duty into joyful fascination with God’s majesty.
Isaiah 29:23 envisions the day when Jacob surveys a restored, Spirit-revived family—the handiwork of God Himself. Those children respond by honoring God’s name, treating Him as holy, and standing in reverent awe. The verse points to both Israel’s future restoration and the ongoing work God performs in every generation: gathering His people, shaping them by His own hands, and filling them with worship that magnifies the Holy One of Jacob, the God of Israel.
(23) The work of mine hands.--Possibly the direct object of the verb "seeth," the word "his children" being an interpretative insertion, to explain the change from the singular to the plural. The joy of the patriarch as he watched his people centred in the fact that they repented, and once more worshipped God as the Holy and the Dread, entering at last into that true fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28).Verse 23. - The work of mine hands; i.e. regenerated and "created anew unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10) - God's work, and no longer denying themselves to be such (ver. 16). They shall sanctify my Name, and sanctify, etc.; rather, they shall sanctify my Name, they shall even sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel. The last two clauses are exegetical of the first (Kay).