Isaiah 25:6 · Bible study
Isaiah 25:6 Commentary: The Messianic Feast for All Peoples
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Isaiah 25:6 depicts God’s abundant salvation for all nations as a rich feast on Mount Zion.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God prepares a lavish feast of salvation for all nations on Mount Zion, fulfilled in Christ and consummated in the final kingdom.
- Key words: “Feast” (mish́teh), “fat things” (shemen), “wines on the lees” (shemarim, aged, preserved wine), “refined” (zaqaq, strained).
- Main debate: Whether the feast is primarily the present gospel blessings (Gill, Matthew Henry) or the future eschatological banquet (Calvin, Keil & Delitzsch).
- Theological theme: God’s universal grace, salvation for all peoples, not just Israel; the Messianic banquet as the goal of history.
- Best use: Preaching on God’s inclusive love, the richness of Christ’s salvation, and our hope of eternal celebration.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.
WEB World English Bible 2000
In this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast of choice wines, of choice meat full of marrow, of well refined choice wines.
KJV King James Version 1769
And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And made hath Jehovah of Hosts, For all the peoples in this mount, A banquet of fat things, a banquet of preserved things, Fat things full of marrow, preserved things refined.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And the Lord of hosts shall make unto all people in this mountain, a feast of fat things, a feast of wine, of fat things full of marrow, of wine purified from the lees.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y Jehová de los ejércitos hará en este monte á todos los pueblos convite de engordados, convite de purificados, de gruesos tuétanos, de purificados líquidos.
E neste monte o SENHOR dos exércitos fará para todos os povos um banquete de animais cevados, um banquete de vinhos finos; de gorduras de tutanos, e de vinhos finos, bem purificados.
L’ Éternel des armées prépare à tous les peuples, sur cette montagne,
Und der HERR Zebaoth wird allen Völkern machen auf diesem Berge ein fettes Mahl, ein Mahl von reinem Wein, von Fett, von Mark, von Wein, darin keine Hefe ist.
En de HEERE der heirscharen zal op dezen berg allen volken een vetten maaltijd maken, een maaltijd van reinen wijn, van vet vol mergs, van reine wijnen, die gezuiverd zijn.
L’Eterno degli eserciti preparerà su questo monte a tutti i popoli un convito di cibi succulenti, un convito di vini vecchi, di cibi succulenti, pieni di midollo, di vini vecchi, ben chiariti.
I sprawi Pan zastępów na wszystkie narody na tej górze ucztę z rzeczy tłustych, ucztę z wystałego wina, z rzeczy tłustych, szpik w sobie mających, z wina wystałego i czystego.
И сделает Господь Саваоф на горе сей для всех народов трапезу из тучных яств, трапезу из чистых вин, из тука костей и самых чистых вин;
在這 山上，萬軍 之耶和華 必為萬 民 用肥甘 設擺 筵席，用陳酒 和滿髓 的肥甘，並澄清 的陳酒，設擺筵席。
And in this mountain will the Lord of armies make for all peoples a feast of good things, a feast of wines long stored, of good things sweet to the taste, of wines long kept and tested.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Isaiah 25:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Isaiah 25:6 presents a lavish feast prepared by God himself, symbolizing the full blessings of salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom. The mountain is Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the center of God’s presence and the seat of his church (Barnes, Cambridge Bible, Keil & Delitzsch). The “fat things” and “wines on the lees” (Hebrew shemarim, “preserved” or “aged” wines) represent the richest spiritual provisions, God’s grace, forgiveness, and eternal joy. The repetition of phrases (“fat things full of marrow, wines well refined”) emphasizes superabundance and quality. Calvin, Gill, and Matthew Henry all see this feast fulfilled in the gospel era, with the Lord’s Supper as a foretaste and the final banquet at the resurrection as the consummation. The universal scope, “all peoples”, marks a decisive shift: salvation is no longer for Israel alone but for every nation, a theme Isaiah returns to repeatedly (cf. Isa 56:7, Barnes). This verse thus stands as a cornerstone of biblical hope: God himself hosts a feast for the whole world.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God provides abundant salvation for all nations through the Messiah, symbolized by a lavish feast on Mount Zion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The identity of the mountain | All commentators identify 'this mountain' as Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It is the place of God's presence and the spiritual center of his kingdom. | Some understand it strictly as the physical locale (Barnes, Cambridge), while others see it as the church, the spiritual Zion, fulfilling the prophecy wherever believers gather (Gill, Wesley). The tension is between literal fulfillment in Jerusalem and spiritual fulfillment in the global church. |
| The timing of the feast | The feast points to the Messiah's work and the blessings of salvation. It is both a present reality and a future hope. | Interpreters differ on the primary time frame. Matthew Henry, Gill, and the Methodist tradition emphasize the gospel age, the Lord's Supper and the church's worship. Calvin, Keil & Delitzsch, and the Reformed tradition stress the eschatological banquet after the resurrection. Most see both: a foretaste now, full enjoyment later. |
| Who are 'all peoples'? | The phrase includes Jews and Gentiles, breaking down ethnic boundaries. It signals the universal scope of the gospel. | Some believe this refers to all humanity without exception, including those who have not believed (universalist interpretation, though rare in mainstream commentaries). Most see it as 'people from every nation' who respond to God's invitation, consistent with the call to faith elsewhere in Scripture. |
| Literal vs. metaphorical feast | The feast language is metaphorical for spiritual blessings. 'Fat things' and 'wines' are not physical but symbolic of divine grace and joy. | A few in church history have taken the feast literally, expecting a physical banquet in Jerusalem during a future millennium. The majority, including all the cited commentators, read it as rich imagery for the abundant joys of salvation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Isaiah 25:6 belongs to the “Isaiah Apocalypse” (chapters 24, 27), a section depicting God’s final judgment on the nations and the establishment of his perfect reign. The mountain is Zion, the traditional site of God’s dwelling (Psalm 78:68) and the place where the ark rested. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a feast celebrated a king’s victory, covenantal loyalty, and the generosity of a host. Feasts often involved the finest foods and strong, aged wine, the Hebrew shemarim (“wines on the lees”) refers to wine left on its sediment to mature, gaining strength and depth, then strained for clarity. This was the most prized wine (Jeremiah 48:11). The phrase “fat things full of marrow” echoes sacrificial language (the fat parts belonged to God in offerings) and the universal longing for sustenance and joy. Isaiah’s audience would have heard a deliberate contrast: where earlier chapters condemned Israel’s selfish feasts (Isaiah 5:11, 12, 22:13), here God throws the feast. The “all peoples” announcement subverts expectations, a Jewish prophet proclaims that God invites the very nations who were judged earlier (ch. 13, 23). This fits Isaiah’s trajectory toward a kingdom without national boundaries (2:2, 4, 66:18, 21).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Isaiah 25:6. The Hebrew text is consistent across major manuscripts (MT, Dead Sea Scrolls of Isaiah). The main differences in English translations reflect interpretive choices (e.g., 'wines on the lees' vs. 'aged wine' vs. 'preserved things'), but these are lexical rather than textual. The verse is textually stable.
Reception History
Isaiah 25:6 has been cherished across Christian tradition as a prophecy of the messianic banquet. Early church fathers like Irenaeus and Augustine saw it fulfilled in the Eucharist and the heavenly feast. Medieval cathedrals often depicted the feast in stained glass, connecting it with the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). During the Reformation, Luther and Calvin used the verse to affirm the full, free grace available to all people through Christ, countering any notion of salvation by merit. In the Wesleyan tradition, this text inspired hymns celebrating the universal invitation of the gospel. Modern lectionaries include it in readings for Advent and funerals, highlighting the hope of resurrection and the joy of God’s eternal kingdom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The Host: “Yahweh of Armies” prepares the feast. The divine warrior fights not to destroy but to provide. He is sovereign over all powers and yet personally invites every people to his table.
- The Menu: Choice meats, aged wines, marrow, and refinement. These images communicate the depth and richness of God’s salvation: forgiveness, fellowship, joy, and eternal life. Nothing is second-rate; every need is met abundantly (Psalm 63:5).
- The Guest List: “All peoples”, Jews and Gentiles together. The feast breaks down every barrier. God’s table is bigger than any human scheme, and the invitation is universal (Luke 14:15, 24).
Five-Point Outline
- The place: “This mountain”, Zion as the center of God’s redemptive work.
- The provider: “Yahweh of Armies” acts in strength and grace.
- The provisions: “Fat things, wines on the lees, full of marrow, refined”, the best of the best, symbolizing spiritual pleasures and eternal satisfaction.
- The people: “All peoples”, a radical inclusion of every nation, fulfilling the promises to Abraham.
- The posture: This feast is both present (the church’s communion) and future (the wedding supper of the Lamb; Revelation 19:9).
Illustration Hooks
- A family reunion where the eldest has saved the finest wine for last, uncorking a bottle that has aged decades. The anticipation, the first sip, the shared joy, this is a small echo of God’s feast.
- After a long famine or drought, the first abundant harvest. People do not just eat; they celebrate. The feast signifies life restored.
- A wedding banquet where the bride and father welcome every guest without exception, neighbors and strangers, rich and poor, and serve the finest meal they can offer.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Is this feast for everyone, or only for believers? The text says “all peoples,” but how does that fit with judgment passages in the same chapters?
- How do we experience God’s feast now, before the final kingdom? Is it just spiritual, or does it involve tangible blessings?
- Does this promise replace Israel’s special status, or does it fulfill it by extending blessing to the nations?
Leading a Discussion
Isaiah 25:6 paints a picture of God’s salvation as the richest possible celebration. The image is concrete: a mountain, a feast, aged wine, sumptuous meat. But the meaning goes beyond physical food. Discuss what this verse teaches about God’s heart, his plan, and our place in it.
Discussion Questions
- Read the verse aloud. What words or phrases stand out to you, and why?
- “In this mountain” refers to Mount Zion. What did Zion represent for Israel? What does it represent for Christians today?
- The feast includes “fat things full of marrow” and “well refined wines.” What do these details tell you about the quality of God’s provision?
- Who is invited? The phrase “all peoples” is repeated. Why is this surprising in the book of Isaiah, which includes many oracles against the nations?
- Compare this verse with Luke 14:15, 24 (the parable of the great banquet). How does Jesus’ teaching echo Isaiah 25:6? What does that say about the inclusivity of God’s kingdom?
- Some Christians see this feast as the gospel age (the church’s worship and the Lord’s Supper); others as the eternal state. Which reading do you lean toward, and why? Can both be true?
- How does this promise shape the way we view people from different nations, ethnicities, or backgrounds? What practical step could your group take to reflect the “all peoples” heart of God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 63:5 | My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, |
| Psalms 72:14 | He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight. |
| Psalms 72:16 | Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field. |
| Psalms 78:68 | But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved. |
| Proverbs 9:1 | Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. |
| Proverbs 9:5 | “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! |
| Song of Solomon 1:2 | Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine. |
| Song of Solomon 1:4 | Take me away with you. Let’s hurry. The king has brought me into his rooms. Friends We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love more than wine! Beloved They are right to love you. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke identifies the feast on this mountain as the establishment of Christ's kingdom, open to all people without distinction. He notes that the phrase "wines on the lees" refers to wine kept on its sediment to preserve its strength and flavor, enhancing the image of rich spiritual blessing.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads this feast on Mount Zion as the Messiah's provision of salvation, prepared first in Jerusalem and then extended to all people. He highlights that Isaiah uniquely emphasizes this universal scope. The rich food and aged wine imagery symbolizes the abundance and perfect refinement of God's spiritual blessings for the whole world.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that the banquet in this passage is not a threat of judgment but the grace of God revealed through Christ. The feast symbolizes that people from every nation, not just the Jews, are now invited to share in God's abundant provision.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible notes that the feast imagery draws on sacrificial terms: the fat portions ordinarily reserved for God become the choicest food for his guests. The description of well-refined wine stored on its sediment echoes Hebrew soundplay. Together these symbols point to a coronation festival on Mount Zion, celebrating all nations entering communion with God.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight the sheer abundance and universal reach of God's prepared feast. The repetition of "fat things" and "fined wines" stresses the richness and purity of the provision, while "all people" makes clear this invitation extends beyond Israel to every nation without exception.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the feast of rich foods as pointing to Messiah's era, since the law forbade eating fat, making this a distinctly new-covenant image. He suggests several possible meanings: the Gospel age with its ordinances, the Lord's Supper, the final marriage feast of the Lamb, or the joys of the New Jerusalem state.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB interprets the feast as a vivid image of salvation's joy, where each term points to the richest mercies of God in Christ. The "wines on the lees" represent the most generous spiritual blessings, and "well refined" means cleared of every impurity, describing the complete satisfaction of Messiah's kingdom.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch sees the feast on this mountain as a spiritual banquet, not a literal one, drawing its imagery from the sacrificial meals of peace offerings. The wines aged on lees then strained represent strength and clarity, while the fat mixed with marrow symbolizes complete blessing. Gentiles are not merely subdued but share fully in the church's joy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees this feast as a prophecy of the gospel and the resurrection, reaching its full meaning only when death is swallowed up in victory. Unlike royal banquets meant to display the host's splendor, God's feast is for substance: it truly satisfies the guests who come as penitents and supplicants.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads the feast as the spiritual blessings God offers in the church—ordinances, graces, and comforts—for both Jews and Gentiles. He focuses on the wines kept on the lees, interpreting them as gifts that gain strength over time and are later drawn off and refined for believers.