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Isaiah 60

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1“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you. 2For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. 3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4“Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather themselves together. They come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried in arms. 5Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you. 6A multitude of camels will cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of Yahweh. 7All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve you. They will be accepted as offerings on my altar; and I will beautify my glorious house. 8“Who are these who fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 9Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of Yahweh your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. 10“Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you: for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. 11Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive. 12For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted. 13“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. 14The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you; and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet. They will call you Yahweh’s City, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15“Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one passed through you, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 16You will also drink the milk of the nations, and will nurse from royal breasts. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17For brass I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, brass, and for stones, iron. I will also make peace your governor, and righteousness your ruler. 18Violence shall no more be heard in your land, nor desolation or destruction within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. 19The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20Your sun will not go down any more, nor will your moon withdraw itself; for Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will end. 21Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time.”

World English Bible (public domain)

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Isaiah 60:1

Summary

Isaiah 60 presents a vision of future glory for Jerusalem, depicting a time when the city will rise and shine because of the Lord's light and salvation. Nations and kings will be drawn to this divine illumination, bringing their riches and abundance to honor Jerusalem. This transformation highlights a reversal from former desolation to newfound prosperity and peace. The chapter suggests that this future will be marked by the spiritual and material wealth as the city becomes a center of God's glory. Furthermore, there is a promise of perpetual light and no more violence, with the Lord as the everlasting light for His people. Ultimately, this chapter foreshadows the fulfillment of God's promises and the manifestation of His kingdom on earth.

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Chapter outline

How Isaiah 60 unfolds

  1. Isaiah 60:1–3 Call to Arise and Shine

    The chapter opens with a command for Jerusalem to arise and shine, as the Lord's glory has come, contrasting the darkness covering the earth.

  2. Isaiah 60:4–7 Gathering of Nations and Wealth

    Nations will gather to Jerusalem, bringing wealth and offerings, signifying a restoration of prosperity and divine favor.

  3. Isaiah 60:8–10 Foreigners Serving and Building

    Foreigners will contribute to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, highlighting a shift from previous affliction to mercy and restoration.

  4. Isaiah 60:11–14 Open Gates and Honor

    The gates of Jerusalem will remain open, welcoming nations, while those who once despised her will come to honor her as God's city.

  5. Isaiah 60:15–18 Eternal Joy and Peace

    God promises to transform Jerusalem from forsakenness to eternal joy, removing violence and establishing peace within her borders.

  6. Isaiah 60:19–21 The Lord as Everlasting Light

    Yahweh will be the everlasting light for His people, symbolizing eternal presence and the end of mourning.

  7. Isaiah 60:22 Promise of Growth and Fulfillment

    The chapter concludes with a promise of rapid growth and fulfillment of God's purposes, emphasizing His sovereignty.

Key verses

  • Isaiah 60:1Isaiah 60:1 encapsulates the chapter's focus on divine illumination and restoration, setting the tone for the themes of glory and hope.

Main themes in Isaiah 60

Restoration and Glory

The theme of Restoration and Glory surfaces prominently in verses 1-3, where Jerusalem is called to rise in the light of God's glory. The chapter develops this theme by illustrating how the nations will come to honor Jerusalem, bringing prosperity and reversing past desolation. Ultimately, this reflects God’s intention to restore His people to a place of prominence and honor.

Divine Light

Divine Light is a central theme in verse 19, where Yahweh is described as the everlasting light of Jerusalem. The chapter complicates this theme by contrasting the current darkness over the earth with the illuminating glory that will shine upon Jerusalem. This highlights the transformative power of God's presence in the lives of His people and their future.

God's Faithful Promises

God’s Faithful Promises are evident in verses 15-22, especially in His assurances of lasting joy and peace. The chapter intricately connects these promises to the restoration of Jerusalem, showcasing how God fulfills His word despite previous judgments. This underscores the certainty of God’s commitment to His people and their ultimate redemption.

Joy and Peace in God's Presence

Joy and Peace in God's Presence is vividly illustrated in verses 18-21, where Jerusalem is promised a future free from violence and filled with joy. The chapter develops this by emphasizing that God Himself will be present, eliminating mourning and establishing a state of peace. This serves to reaffirm the deep relationship between God's presence and the well-being of His people.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Isaiah 60

Study questions

Questions for studying Isaiah 60

  1. What imagery is used to describe the transformation of Jerusalem in this chapter?
  2. How does the chapter depict the relationship between nations and Jerusalem?
  3. What significance does the promise of open gates have for the people of Jerusalem?
  4. In what ways does God’s mercy contrast with His previous wrath in this passage?
  5. What does the phrase 'everlasting light' imply about God’s presence in Jerusalem?
  6. How does the chapter reflect the theme of restoration and glory for the Israelites?
  7. What are the implications of the promise that the little one will become a thousand?

Isaiah 60: frequently asked questions

What is Isaiah 60 about?+
Isaiah 60 presents a vision of future glory for Jerusalem, depicting a time when the city will rise and shine because of the Lord's light and salvation. Nations and kings will be drawn to this divine illumination, bringing their riches and abundance to honor Jerusalem. This transformation highlights a reversal from former desolation to newfound prosperity and peace. The chapter suggests that this future will be marked by the spiritual and material wealth as the city becomes a center of God's glory. Furthermore, there is a promise of perpetual light and no more violence, with the Lord as the everlasting light for His people. Ultimately, this chapter foreshadows the fulfillment of God's promises and the manifestation of His kingdom on earth.
What is the key verse in Isaiah 60?+
Isaiah 60:1: "“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you."
What are the main themes of Isaiah 60?+
The main themes of Isaiah 60 are Restoration and Glory, Divine Light, God's Faithful Promises, Joy and Peace in God's Presence.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Isaiah 60

Study Notes