Isaiah 60 Study Notes: Zion Shines With the LORD’s Glory
Zion is called to rise and shine because the LORD’s glory has dawned on her while darkness covers the nations. Nations, kings, and her scattered children stream to her with gifts and praise, her walls are rebuilt, and the LORD Himself becomes her everlasting light and makes her people righteous.
General
Why is Zion told to arise and shine in 60:1-2?
Answer: The LORD’s glory has risen upon her
Zion, a name for Jerusalem and for God’s people, is told to rise and shine because her light has arrived and the LORD’s glory has dawned on her (60:1). The light is not her own. Darkness still lies over the earth and its peoples, yet the LORD Himself rises over her and His glory appears above her (60:2). Earlier Isaiah promised that a people living in darkness would see a great light (9:2), and Jesus declared that He is the world’s light (John 8:12). Simeon called the infant Jesus a light that reveals God to the Gentiles, bringing glory to Israel (Luke 2:32).
- Isaiah 60:1-2 (BSB)“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.”Zion is called to shine because the LORD’s glory has dawned on her while darkness covers the peoples.
- Isaiah 9:2 (BSB)“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”Isaiah earlier promised that a people in darkness would see a great light.
- John 8:12 (BSB)“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.””Jesus declares that He is the light of the world.
- Luke 2:32 (BSB)“a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.””Simeon calls the infant Jesus a light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel.
Theological
What grounds the summons to arise and shine in 60:1-2?
Answer: The LORD’s glory has risen upon her
The command rests on a fact: Zion is to arise because her light has already come and the LORD’s glory has dawned upon her (60:1). Her radiance is reflected, not native; while darkness still blankets the peoples, the LORD rises over her (60:2). The light theme runs from 9:2 to the One who called Himself the world’s light (John 8:12) and whom Simeon hailed as light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel (Luke 2:32).
- Isaiah 60:1-2 (BSB)“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.”Zion is called to shine because the LORD’s glory has dawned on her while darkness covers the peoples.
- Isaiah 9:2 (BSB)“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”Isaiah earlier promised that a people in darkness would see a great light.
- John 8:12 (BSB)“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.””Jesus declares that He is the light of the world.
- Luke 2:32 (BSB)“a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.””Simeon calls the infant Jesus a light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel.
General
True or False: In 60:11, Zion’s gates are to be shut at night to keep the nations out.
Answer: False
This is false. Her gates will stand open continually, never closed by day or by night, letting the nations’ riches be brought in, with their kings led in procession (60:11). Rather than a city barred against outsiders, Zion is pictured as a city receiving the nations. The next verse adds a sober warning that any nation refusing to serve her will perish (60:12). Revelation echoes this picture in its description of the new Jerusalem, whose gates are never shut because there is no night there, and into which the nations’ glory and honor are brought (Revelation 21:25-26).
- Isaiah 60:11-12 (BSB)“Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.”Zion’s gates stand open day and night so the nations’ wealth can be brought in.
- Revelation 21:25 (BSB)“Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there.”The gates of the new Jerusalem are never shut, because there is no night there.
- Revelation 21:26 (BSB)“And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations.”The glory and honor of the nations are brought into the city.
Theological
True or False: According to 60:11, Zion’s gates will be closed each night against the nations.
Answer: False
This is false. The gates stand open continually, never closed at any hour, letting the nations’ riches enter with their kings in procession (60:11), while any nation refusing to serve Zion will perish (60:12). The open-gated city receiving the nations’ glory reappears in Revelation’s new Jerusalem, whose gates are never shut because there is no night there and into which the nations’ glory and honor are brought (Revelation 21:25-26).
- Isaiah 60:11-12 (BSB)“Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.”Zion’s gates stand open day and night so the nations’ wealth can be brought in.
- Revelation 21:25 (BSB)“Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there.”The gates of the new Jerusalem are never shut, because there is no night there.
- Revelation 21:26 (BSB)“And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations.”The glory and honor of the nations are brought into the city.
General
In 60:6-7, what do the people of Sheba and Kedar’s flocks contribute?
Answer: Gold, incense, and praise, and rams for God’s altar
Camel caravans from Midian and Ephah fill the land, and those from Sheba come carrying gold and incense while proclaiming the LORD’s praises (60:6). Kedar’s flocks and Nebaioth’s rams are offered and accepted on God’s altar, and He adorns His glorious house (60:7). The nations’ wealth comes not merely as payment but as worship. Psalm 72 likewise pictures Sheba’s kings bringing gifts and all nations serving God’s king (Psalm 72:10-11), and Isaiah 56:7 promises that foreigners’ offerings will find acceptance at His altar. Many Christians have also seen a foretaste of this in the wise men who brought gold and frankincense to the child Jesus (Matthew 2:11), though Matthew does not cite this verse.
- Isaiah 60:6-7 (BSB)“Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.”Caravans bring gold and frankincense with praise, and the flocks of Kedar are accepted on God’s altar.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.”The psalm pictures kings of Sheba bringing gifts and all nations serving God’s king.
- Isaiah 56:7 (BSB)“I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.””Isaiah promises that the offerings of foreigners will be accepted on God’s altar.
- Matthew 2:11 (BSB)“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”The wise men brought gold and frankincense to the child Jesus, a scene many Christians link to this passage.
Theological
What gifts are brought from Sheba and Kedar in 60:6-7?
Answer: Gold, incense, and praise, and rams for God’s altar
The caravans of Midian, Ephah, and Sheba bring gold and incense and proclaim the LORD’s praises (60:6), and Kedar’s flocks and Nebaioth’s rams ascend acceptably on God’s altar as He adorns His glorious house (60:7). The nations’ wealth arrives as worship rather than mere payment, in keeping with Psalm 72:10-11 and with the promise that foreigners’ offerings will find acceptance at God’s altar (56:7). Many Christians have seen a foretaste in the wise men’s gold and frankincense offered to the child Jesus (Matthew 2:11), though Matthew does not cite this verse.
- Isaiah 60:6-7 (BSB)“Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.”Caravans bring gold and frankincense with praise, and the flocks of Kedar are accepted on God’s altar.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.”The psalm pictures kings of Sheba bringing gifts and all nations serving God’s king.
- Isaiah 56:7 (BSB)“I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.””Isaiah promises that the offerings of foreigners will be accepted on God’s altar.
- Matthew 2:11 (BSB)“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”The wise men brought gold and frankincense to the child Jesus, a scene many Christians link to this passage.
General
Who will be drawn to Zion’s light, according to 60:3-9?
Answer: Nations and kings, with her children from far away
Nations will be drawn to Zion’s light, with kings coming to the dawn shining over her (60:3). Her sons and daughters return from far away (60:4), the sea’s abundance and the nations’ riches are brought to her (60:5), and ships from distant coastlands carry her children home, laden with silver and gold, all to honor the LORD who has glorified her (60:9). Isaiah earlier pictured all nations streaming to the LORD’s mountain to learn His ways (2:2-3). Revelation echoes this scene in describing the nations walking by the new Jerusalem’s light and kings bringing their glory into it (Revelation 21:24).
- Isaiah 60:3-5 (BSB)“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.”Nations and kings come to Zion’s light, and her sons and daughters return.
- Isaiah 60:9 (BSB)“Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.”Ships from distant coastlands bring Zion’s children home to honor the LORD.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (BSB)“In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”Isaiah earlier pictured all nations streaming to the LORD’s mountain to learn His ways.
- Revelation 21:24 (BSB)“By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.”Revelation echoes the scene with nations walking by the city’s light and kings bringing their glory.
Theological
According to 60:3-9, who comes streaming to Zion’s light?
Answer: Nations and kings, with her children from far away
The light on Zion draws the nations and their kings (60:3), while her scattered sons and daughters are brought home (60:4), the riches of sea and nations flow to her (60:5), and the ships of distant coastlands carry back her children, laden with silver and gold, all to honor the LORD who has glorified her (60:9). The ingathering of the nations recalls 2:2-3, and Revelation takes up the picture in the nations walking by the new Jerusalem’s light and kings bringing their glory into it (Revelation 21:24).
- Isaiah 60:3-5 (BSB)“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.”Nations and kings come to Zion’s light, and her sons and daughters return.
- Isaiah 60:9 (BSB)“Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.”Ships from distant coastlands bring Zion’s children home to honor the LORD.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (BSB)“In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”Isaiah earlier pictured all nations streaming to the LORD’s mountain to learn His ways.
- Revelation 21:24 (BSB)“By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.”Revelation echoes the scene with nations walking by the city’s light and kings bringing their glory.
General
What reason does 60:21 give for making all Zion’s people righteous and planting them?
Answer: So that the LORD may be glorified
Every one of Zion’s people will be made righteous and will hold the land for all time. They are the shoot the LORD has planted and the work of His hands, and the stated purpose is that He receives glory (60:21). The very least will grow into a thousand, the tiniest into a great nation, and the LORD will bring it about quickly in its time (60:22). Their righteousness is God’s own work in them. Paul says believers are God’s workmanship, made new in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10), Isaiah 61:3 calls the redeemed the LORD’s planting for His glory, and 43:7 says God’s people were created for His glory.
- Isaiah 60:21-22 (BSB)“Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.”All Zion’s people will be righteous, the LORD’s own planting, for His glory.
- Ephesians 2:10 (BSB)“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”Believers are God’s workmanship, made in Christ for good works.
- Isaiah 61:3 (BSB)“to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”The redeemed are called the LORD’s planting so that He is glorified.
- Isaiah 43:7 (BSB)“everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.””God’s people were created for His glory.
Theological
What purpose does the LORD state in 60:21 for His people’s righteousness and planting?
Answer: So that the LORD may be glorified
The universal righteousness of Zion’s people and their lasting possession of the land are God’s doing: they are His planting and handiwork, and the stated end is His own glory (60:21), with the multiplication of the least promised in its appointed time (60:22). The same pattern of divine workmanship for good works appears in Ephesians 2:10, and the purpose of God’s glory in His people recurs in 61:3 and 43:7.
- Isaiah 60:21-22 (BSB)“Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.”All Zion’s people will be righteous, the LORD’s own planting, for His glory.
- Ephesians 2:10 (BSB)“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”Believers are God’s workmanship, made in Christ for good works.
- Isaiah 61:3 (BSB)“to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”The redeemed are called the LORD’s planting so that He is glorified.
- Isaiah 43:7 (BSB)“everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.””God’s people were created for His glory.
General
What will Zion come to know through the reversal described in 60:14-16?
Answer: That the LORD is her Savior and Redeemer
The children of those who oppressed Zion will come bowing, and those who despised her will give her a title naming her as the LORD’s own city, belonging to Israel’s Holy One (60:14). Once forsaken and hated, she will become a lasting pride and a joy for every generation (60:15). Nourished by the nations and their kings, she will know that the LORD is her Savior and Redeemer, Jacob’s Mighty One (60:16). Isaiah 49:23 makes the same promise, that kings will bow before her and she will know that He is the LORD, and in 43:3 the LORD calls Himself Israel’s Holy One and her Savior. The New Testament says believers have arrived at Mount Zion, the living God’s city, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
- Isaiah 60:14-16 (BSB)“The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas you have been forsaken and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting pride, a joy from age to age. You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”Former oppressors honor Zion, and she comes to know the LORD as her Savior and Redeemer.
- Isaiah 49:23 (BSB)“Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.””An earlier promise: kings will bow to Zion, and she will know that He is the LORD.
- Isaiah 43:3 (BSB)“For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.”The LORD names Himself the Holy One of Israel and His people’s Savior.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Believers have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Theological
What knowledge does the reversal of 60:14-16 produce in Zion?
Answer: That the LORD is her Savior and Redeemer
The sons of her oppressors bow, and her despisers name her as the LORD’s city, belonging to Israel’s Holy One (60:14); the forsaken one becomes a lasting pride (60:15), and, nourished by nations and kings, she comes to know the LORD as her Savior and Redeemer, Jacob’s Mighty One (60:16). The reversal serves revelation, as in 49:23 and in the LORD’s self-designation as Israel’s Savior in 43:3. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of believers as having arrived at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 60:14-16 (BSB)“The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas you have been forsaken and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting pride, a joy from age to age. You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”Former oppressors honor Zion, and she comes to know the LORD as her Savior and Redeemer.
- Isaiah 49:23 (BSB)“Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.””An earlier promise: kings will bow to Zion, and she will know that He is the LORD.
- Isaiah 43:3 (BSB)“For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.”The LORD names Himself the Holy One of Israel and His people’s Savior.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Believers have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
General
How does the LORD contrast His past dealings with His future dealings in 60:10?
Answer: He struck in anger but will show mercy in favor
Foreigners will rebuild Zion’s walls, with their kings in her service, and the LORD explains the reversal: although He struck His people in anger, in His favor He will have mercy on them (60:10). The exile was real discipline for sin, but it was not God’s final word. Isaiah 54:7-8 says God briefly forsook His people but will bring them back with everlasting kindness, a psalmist says God’s anger is fleeting while His favor endures for life (Psalm 30:5), and Lamentations says the Lord does not reject forever but shows compassion in His great loving devotion (Lamentations 3:31-32).
- Isaiah 60:10 (BSB)“Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.”Foreigners rebuild Zion’s walls as the LORD turns from anger to mercy.
- Isaiah 54:7-8 (BSB)““For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.”The LORD forsook His people briefly but brings them back with everlasting kindness.
- Psalm 30:5 (BSB)“For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.”God’s anger is fleeting while His favor lasts.
- Lamentations 3:31-32 (BSB)“For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.”The Lord does not cast off forever but shows compassion after causing grief.
Theological
What contrast between wrath and favor does the LORD draw in 60:10?
Answer: He struck in anger but will show mercy in favor
The rebuilding of Zion’s walls by foreigners, with their kings in her service, is explained by a turn in God’s dealings: He struck in anger, but in favor He will show mercy (60:10). The exile was genuine judgment, yet not final. The same movement from momentary wrath to lasting compassion appears in 54:7-8, Psalm 30:5, and Lamentations 3:31-32, where the Lord does not reject forever but shows compassion in His great loving devotion.
- Isaiah 60:10 (BSB)“Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.”Foreigners rebuild Zion’s walls as the LORD turns from anger to mercy.
- Isaiah 54:7-8 (BSB)““For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.”The LORD forsook His people briefly but brings them back with everlasting kindness.
- Psalm 30:5 (BSB)“For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.”God’s anger is fleeting while His favor lasts.
- Lamentations 3:31-32 (BSB)“For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.”The Lord does not cast off forever but shows compassion after causing grief.
General
According to 60:19-20, what will replace the sun and moon as Zion’s light?
Answer: The LORD Himself as her everlasting light
Zion will no longer need the sun by day or the moon by night, since the LORD Himself is to be her everlasting light and her God her splendor (60:19). Her sun will never set and her moon never wane, and her time of mourning will be over (60:20). Revelation echoes this picture in describing the new Jerusalem, which needs no sun or moon because God’s glory lights it and the Lamb serves as its lamp (Revelation 21:23), and where the Lord God shines on His people forever (Revelation 22:5). David also sings that the LORD is his light and salvation (Psalm 27:1).
- Isaiah 60:19-20 (BSB)“No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.”The LORD replaces sun and moon as Zion’s everlasting light, and her mourning ends.
- Revelation 21:23 (BSB)“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.”The new Jerusalem needs no sun or moon, for God’s glory and the Lamb give it light.
- Revelation 22:5 (BSB)“There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.”In the city there is no night, because the Lord God shines on His people.
- Psalm 27:1 (BSB)“Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?”David confesses the LORD as his light and salvation.
Theological
What source of light does 60:19-20 promise in place of sun and moon?
Answer: The LORD Himself as her everlasting light
Created lights give way to the Creator: the LORD is to be Zion’s everlasting light and her God her splendor (60:19), her light will never set, and her days of mourning will end (60:20). Revelation echoes the promise in the new Jerusalem, lit by God’s glory with the Lamb as its lamp (Revelation 21:23) and needing no sun because the Lord God shines on His people (Revelation 22:5). The LORD as light and salvation is already the confession of Psalm 27:1.
- Isaiah 60:19-20 (BSB)“No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.”The LORD replaces sun and moon as Zion’s everlasting light, and her mourning ends.
- Revelation 21:23 (BSB)“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.”The new Jerusalem needs no sun or moon, for God’s glory and the Lamb give it light.
- Revelation 22:5 (BSB)“There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.”In the city there is no night, because the Lord God shines on His people.
- Psalm 27:1 (BSB)“Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?”David confesses the LORD as his light and salvation.
General
What names will Zion give her walls and gates in 60:18?
Answer: Salvation and Praise
The LORD promises better materials in place of lesser ones, gold for bronze and silver for iron (60:17). More importantly, He will make peace her overseer and righteousness her ruler. Violence, ruin, and destruction will no longer be heard within her borders, and she will name her walls Salvation and her gates Praise (60:18). Her security will rest in what God does for her and the praise it brings Him, not in stone. Isaiah 26:1 likewise sings of a strong city whose walls and ramparts are salvation, and 32:17 says righteousness produces peace.
- Isaiah 60:17-18 (BSB)“Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.”Better materials, peace and righteousness as rulers, and walls and gates named for salvation and praise.
- Isaiah 26:1 (BSB)“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.”Isaiah elsewhere sings of a strong city whose walls are salvation.
- Isaiah 32:17 (BSB)“The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.”Righteousness produces peace and lasting calm.
Theological
In 60:17-18, what names are given to Zion’s walls and gates?
Answer: Salvation and Praise
Lesser materials give way to better ones (60:17), but the deeper change is in government: peace is appointed overseer and righteousness ruler, violence and destruction cease, and the walls are named Salvation and the gates Praise (60:18). The city’s defense is God’s saving work and its entrance the praise that answers it, as in 26:1, where salvation forms the walls, and 32:17, where righteousness yields peace.
- Isaiah 60:17-18 (BSB)“Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.”Better materials, peace and righteousness as rulers, and walls and gates named for salvation and praise.
- Isaiah 26:1 (BSB)“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.”Isaiah elsewhere sings of a strong city whose walls are salvation.
- Isaiah 32:17 (BSB)“The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.”Righteousness produces peace and lasting calm.