Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 66:20

"And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Jehovah, as the children of Israel bring their oblation in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah." — Isaiah 66:20 (ASV)

And they shall bring all your brethren - This means that such great success will attend them as if they were to bring back all who had gone there when scattered, and were to present them as an offering to Yahweh.

The image here is taken from the scene that would be presented if the distant nations were seen bringing the scattered exiles from all lands on horses, on palanquins, and on dromedaries, back to Jerusalem, and presenting them before Yahweh in the city where they formerly lived.

It is the image of a vast caravan, conducted by the pagan world when they had become tributary to the people of God, and when they united to return them to their own land.

The spiritual meaning is that all those who would be appropriately called 'brethren,' all who would be the true friends of God, would be brought and offered to Yahweh; that is, there would be a great accession to the people of God from the pagan world.

For an offering unto the Lord. - Hebrew, מנחה minchāh - not a bloody offering or sacrifice, but an offering such as was made with flour, oil, etc. (see the notes at Isaiah 1:13).

Out of all nations - The truth will be proclaimed in all lands, and a vast accession will be made from all parts of the world to the true church of God. To understand this description, we must form an idea of immense caravans proceeding from distant parts of the world to Jerusalem, carrying the converts to the true religion to be dedicated to the service of Yahweh.

Upon horses - Horses were little used by the Hebrews (see the notes at Isaiah 2:7), but they are much used by the Arabs and form an important part of the caravan that goes to distant places.

And in chariots - (Compare to the notes at Isaiah 66:15). It is, however, by no means certain that the word used here refers to a wheeled vehicle. Such vehicles were not used in caravans.

The editor of the Ruins of Palmyra tells us that the caravan they formed to go to that place consisted of about two hundred persons and about the same number of beasts of burden, which were an odd mixture of horses, camels, mules, and asses. However, there is no account of any vehicle drawn on wheels in that expedition, nor do we find an account of such things in other eastern journeys (Harmer).

Dr. Russel assures us that coaches are not in use in Aleppo, nor are they commonly used in any of the countries of the East.

The Hebrew word used here (רכב rekeb) properly means riding—riders, cavalry (see it explained in the notes at Isaiah 21:7); then any vehicle for riding, whether a wagon, chariot, or litter.

Lowth renders it, ‘In litters.’ Pitts, in his account of the return from Mecca, describes a species of litter which was borne by two camels, one before and another behind, which was all covered over with searcloth, and that in turn with green broadcloth, and which was elegantly adorned. It is not improbable that some such vehicle is intended here, as it is certain that such things as wagons or chariots are not found in eastern caravans.

And in litters - The margin says, ‘Coaches.’ But the word ‘litters’ more properly expresses the idea. Lowth renders it ‘Counes.’

Thevenot tells us that counes are hampers or cradles carried on the backs of camels, one on each side, having a back, head, and sides, like large chairs. A covering is commonly laid over them to protect the rider from wind and rain.

This is a common mode of travel in the East. The coune, or hamper, is thrown across the back of the camel, somewhat in the manner of saddle-bags as we know them. Sometimes a person sits on each side, and they thus balance each other; at other times, the end in which the person is placed is balanced by provisions or articles of furniture in the other.

‘At Aleppo,’ says Dr. Russel, ‘women of inferior condition in long journeys are commonly stowed, one on each side of a mule, in a sort of covered cradles.’

The Hebrew word used here (צב tsab) properly means a litter, a sedan coach—something that can be lightly or gently carried.

The Septuagint renders it, Ἐν λαμπήναις ἡμιόνων μετὰ σκιαδίων En lampēnais hēmionōn meta skiadiōn - ‘In litters of mules, with shades or umbrellas.’

Perhaps the following description of a scene in the khan at Acre will offer a fitting illustration of this passage: ‘The bustle was increased this morning by the departure of the wives of the governor of Jaffa. They set off in two coaches of a curious description, common in this country. The body of the coach was raised on two parallel poles, somewhat similar to those used for sedan chairs, only that in these the poles were attached to the lower part of the coach—consequently throwing the center of gravity much higher and apparently exposing the vehicle, with its veiled occupant, to being easily overturned, or at least to a very severe jolt. Between the poles strong mules were harnessed, one before and one behind, who, if they proved capricious or had very uneven or mountainous ground to pass, would make the ladies' situation even more critical.’ (Jowett’s Christian Researches in Syria, pp. 115, 116, Amos Ed.)

And upon swift beasts - Dromedaries. So Lowth and Noyes render it; and so the word used here - כרכרות kir^ekârôt - properly denotes. The word is derived from כיר kārar — to dance; and the name is given to them for their bounding or dancing motion, their speed being also sometimes accelerated by musical instruments (Bochart, Hieroz. i. 2, 4). For a description of the dromedary, see the notes at Isaiah 60:6.

As the children of Israel - As the Jews bring an offering to Yahweh in a vessel that is pure. The utmost attention was paid to the cleanliness of their vessels in their public worship.