Isaiah 66:17

Sanctify themselves. These apostates mingled heathen rites with the worship of Jehovah and then took a “I am holier than thou” (ch. 65:5) attitude toward their brethren. The reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh were strikingly characterized by such worship (2 Kings 16:10-16; 21:2-7). The consecration and purification ceremonies referred to were probably initiatory rites into heathen mysteries.

In the gardens. These gardens and groves were frequently the scene of cruel and immoral religious ceremonies. The Hebrews often followed the heathen in worshiping in such places (Isa. 1:29; 65:3, 4; cf. 1 Kings 14:23; 15:13; 2 Kings 16:3,4; 17:9-11; 18:4), although they had been commanded by God to destroy them (Ex. 34:13; Deut. 7:5).

Behind one tree. The word “tree” is supplied. The reference may be to some abominable and revolting object of worship. The Heb. ’achad, “one,” is masculine in the common Hebrew text, but feminine in several manuscripts, among which are both Dead Sea scrolls of Isaiah. It remains uncertain to what the “one” refers.

Eating swine’s flesh. See on ch. 65:4. These people openly defied God by partaking of things that were particularly abominable to Him. Both the swine and the mouse are listed among the unclean animals the Hebrews were forbidden to eat (Lev. 11:2, 7, 29, 44). The Jewish apostates exulted in throwing off all restraints and pretended to sanctify themselves by the very things God had said would defile them and render them unfit for fellowship with Him. In their affectation of a superior sanctity they had sunk to the lowest depths of degradation.

Shall be consumed. Dead Sea scroll 1QIs omits this verb, probably the result of a scribal error. The destruction has already been mentioned in vs. 15, 16.