Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant;
join
Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
Isaiah 44:5 One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Jeremiah 50:5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
to love
Mark 12:30-34 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment…
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
every
Isaiah 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
to minister to Him
The role of ministering to God was traditionally reserved for the Levites, but this passage opens it to foreigners, indicating a shift towards a more inclusive worship. This anticipates the New Testament priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Ministering involves acts of worship, service, and devotion, reflecting a heart committed to God.
to love the name of the LORD
Loving God's name signifies reverence and devotion. In Hebrew culture, a name represents one's character and essence. Loving God's name means embracing His nature and commandments. This aligns with the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).
and to be His servants
Being a servant of God implies obedience and dedication. This echoes the call to servanthood seen throughout Scripture, where true greatness is found in serving others (Mark 10:43-45). It also reflects the life of Jesus, the ultimate servant (Philippians 2:7).
all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it
The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13). Keeping it holy was a demonstration of faithfulness and trust in God's provision. For foreigners to observe the Sabbath signifies their full integration into the covenant community. This also points to the rest found in Christ, who is the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8).
and who hold fast to My covenant
Holding fast to the covenant involves faithfulness and adherence to God's laws. This phrase emphasizes the importance of commitment and loyalty to God's promises. It connects to the New Covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice, which is open to all who believe (Hebrews 8:6-13). The call to hold fast is a recurring theme, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith (Hebrews 10:23).
• God’s embrace extends beyond ethnic Israel. In Isaiah’s day, “foreigners” were Gentiles who lived among the covenant people (cf. Exodus 12:48; Isaiah 42:6).
• This phrase shows that salvation was always meant to be global—fulfilled in Christ who “is the atoning sacrifice…for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
• Revelation 5:9 pictures redeemed people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” echoing Isaiah’s promise.
• “Join” pictures deliberate attachment, like grafting a branch (Romans 11:17).
• Jeremiah 50:5 speaks of nations saying, “Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant.”
• True faith is never passive; it clings to the living God (Joshua 23:8).
• Ministry isn’t limited to Israel’s priests; any believer may serve God directly (1 Peter 2:9).
• In Isaiah 61:6 the Lord foretells, “You will be called priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God.”
• Service includes worship, obedience, and works of mercy (Hebrews 13:15-16).
• Love drives obedience (John 14:15).
• Psalm 5:11: “May those who love Your name rejoice in You.”
• Malachi 1:11 condemns half-hearted worship; Isaiah lifts up foreigners who genuinely cherish God’s reputation and character.
• A servant yields ownership. Paul says, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God” (Romans 6:22).
• Jesus declares, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me” (John 12:26).
• Isaiah foreshadows believers gladly identifying as bond-servants of the Lord.
• Sabbath keeping expressed covenant loyalty (Exodus 20:8-11).
• Nehemiah 13:17-23 shows how seriously God viewed Sabbath profanation.
• While the Mosaic sign is fulfilled in Christ—“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8)—the principle of resting in God’s completed work remains (Hebrews 4:9-10).
• “Hold fast” means steady perseverance (Deuteronomy 4:4).
• Isaiah points to a faith that endures, not a momentary decision (Hebrews 10:23).
• God promises in Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts.” Clinging to the covenant demonstrates that inner work.
Isaiah 56:6 reveals God’s heart to welcome anyone—Jew or Gentile—who clings to Him through faith expressed in loving devotion, obedient service, Sabbath-centered rest, and covenant loyalty. The verse anticipates the New Testament reality of one unified people redeemed by Christ, called to worship, serve, and delight in the Lord forever.
(6) Also the sons of the stranger . . .--Proselytes also were to share in the blessings of the wider covenant. The words "to serve him" have been referred to some menial offices like that of the Nethinim, "hewers of wood and drawers of water" (Joshua 9:27; Ezra 8:20). The usage of the word, however, limits it to honourable functions. The germ of Isaiah's thought appears in Solomon's dedication prayer (1Kings 8:41-43). It receives its highest development (in its entire separation from the building with which there and here it is associated), in John 4:23. Comp. a further emancipation from the bondage of the law in Isaiah 66:21.Verse 6. - Also the sons of the stranger (comp. ver. 3). The proselytes shall not be treated as they fear. On the contrary, God will treat them in exactly the same way as his original people - will conduct them to Palestine, settle them in his "holy mountain," admit them to the temple services, accept their burnt offerings and their sacrifices. All this will be a foretaste of their position in the Christian Church, where there will be neither Jew nor Gentile, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, but a community where all are brethren and all have equal privileges.