Isaiah 60
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Arise - Call upon God through Christ, for his salvation; and, Shine - אורי ori, be illuminated: for till thou arise and call upon God, thou wilt never receive true light. For thy light is come - כי בא אורך ki ba orech, for thy light cometh. The Messiah is at the door; who, while he is a light to lighten the Gentiles, will be the glory - the effulgence, of his people Israel.
Open source ↗ISRAEL'S GLORY AFTER HER AFFLICTION. (Isa. 60:1-22) Arise--from the dust in which thou hast been sitting as a mourning female captive (Isa 3:26; Isa 52:1-2). shine--or, "be enlightened; for thy light cometh"; impart to others the spiritual light now given thee (Isa 60:3). The Margin and GESENIUS translate, "Be enlightened"; be resplendent with posterity; imperative for the future indicative, "Thou shalt be enlightened" (Isa 58:8, Isa 58:10; Eph 5:8, Eph 5:14). glory of the Lord--not merely the Shekinah, or cloud of glory, such as rested above the ark in the old dispensation, but the glory of the Lord in person (Jer 3:16-17). is risen--as the sun (Mal 4:2; Luk 1:78, Margin).
Open source ↗Arise, shine,.... The Targum adds, "O Jerusalem"; and so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions; and no doubt but the church of God is here addressed: and by what follows it seems to be the Jewish church, as distinct from the Gentiles, since they are said to come to it, the Jews, now converted, and brought into a church state; and who are called upon to arise out of their low dejected state and condition, in which they have long lain, and "shine": or to "awake", as some (p) render it, out of that sleep and lethargy they have been so long in, and to shine forth in the exercise of grace and discharge of duty: or to be "enlightened" (q); with the light of Christ and of the Gospel, now come unto them; and to diffuse this light to others, to hold it forth in profession and conversation; see Mat 5:16. for thy light is come: the Targum, "for the time of thy redemption is come;'' meaning from the Babylonish captivity, which that paraphrase refers to: but this is not intended here, but the spiritual prosperity and happiness of the Jews in the latter day, at the time of their conversion; and the sense is, either that Christ, the Light of the world, was come unto them in a spiritual way; or that the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ was come unto them, and shone upon them; or the time was come that the blindness that had been so long upon them should be taken oft, and the veil be taken away they had been so long covered with, and they be turned to the Lord, the fulness of the Gentiles now being about to be brought in; see Rom 11:25, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; or the glorious Lord; he, whose glory is to be seen, as the glory of the only begotten, who is the brightness of his Father's glory, the sun of righteousness; who shall now, rise upon these…
Open source ↗It is still night. The inward and outward condition of the church is night; and if it is night followed by a morning, it is so only for those who "against hope believe in hope." The reality which strikes the senses is the night of sin, of punishment, of suffering, and of mourning - a long night of nearly seventy years. In this night, the prophet, according to the command of God, has bee prophesying of the coming light. In his inward penetration of the substance of his own preaching, he has come close to the time when faith is to be turned to sight. And now in the strength of God, who has made him the mouthpiece of His own creative fiat, he exclaims to the church, Isa 60:1 : "Arise, grow light; for thy light cometh, and the glory of Jehovah riseth upon thee." The appeal so addressed to Zion-Jerusalem, which is regarded (as in Isa 49:18; Isa 50:1; Isa 52:1-2; Isa 54:1) as a woman, and indeed as the mother of Israel. Here, however, it is regarded as the church redeemed from banishment, and settled once more in the holy city and the holy land, the church of salvation, which is now about to become the church of glory. Zion lies prostrate on the ground, smitten down by the judgment of God, brought down to the ground by inward prostration, and partly overcome by the sleep of self-security. She now hears the cry, "Arise" (qūmı̄). This is not a mere admonition, but a word of power which puts new life into her limbs, so that she is able to rise from the ground, on which she has lain, as it were, under the ban. The night, which has brought her to the ground mourning, and faint, and intoxicated with sleep, is now at an end. The mighty word qūmı̄, "arise," is supplemented by a second word: 'ōrı̄. What creative force there is in these two trochees, qūmı̄ 'ōrı̄, which hold on, as…
Open source ↗It is here promised that the gospel temple shall be very lightsome and very large. I. It shall be very lightsome: Thy light has come. When the Jews returned out of captivity they had light and gladness, and joy and honour; they then were made to know the Lord and to rejoice in his great goodness; and upon both accounts their light came. When the Redeemer came to Zion he brought light with him, he himself came to be a light. Now observe, 1. What this light is, and whence it springs: The Lord shall arise upon thee (Isa 60:2), the glory of the Lord (Isa 60:1) shall be seen upon thee. God is the father and fountain of lights, and it is in his light that we shall see light. As far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. When God appears to us, and we have the comfort of his favour, then the glory of the Lord rises upon us as the morning light; when he appears for us, and we have the credit of his favour, when he shows us some token for good and proclaims his favour to us, then his glory is seen upon us, as it was upon Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire. When Christ arose as the sun of righteousness, and in him the day-spring from on high visited us, then the glory of the Lord was seen upon us, the glory as of the first-begotten of the Father. 2. What a foil there shall be to this light: Darkness shall cover the earth; but, though it be gross darkness, darkness that might be felt, like that of Egypt, that shall overspread the people, yet the church, like Goshen, shall have light at the same time. When the case of the nations that have not the gospel shall be very melancholy, those dark corners of the earth being full of the habitations of cruelty to poor souls, the state of the church shall be very pleasant. 3. What is…
Open source ↗60:1-3 God will come to be with his people and will transform Zion’s destiny from the darkness as black as night caused by sin and judgment.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָרַח (zârach, H2224) — properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e. to rise (as the sun); specifically,…
Open source ↗חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֲרָפֶל (ʻărâphel, H6205) — gloom (as of a lowering sky) לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָרַח (zârach, H2224) — properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e. to rise (as the sun); specifically,… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,…
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נֹגַהּ (nôgahh, H5051) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively) זֶרַח (zerach, H2225) — a rising of light
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… צַד (tsad, H6654) — a side; figuratively, an adversary
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten נָהַר (nâhar, H5102) — to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream)… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); פָּחַד (pâchad, H6342) — to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general רָחַב (râchab, H7337) — to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative) הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗שִׁפְעָה (shiphʻâh, H8229) — copiousness גָּמָל (gâmâl, H1581) — a camel כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… בֶּכֶר (beker, H1070) — a young camel מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants עֵיפָה (ʻÊyphâh, H5891) — Ephah, the name of a son of Midian, and of the region settled by him; also of an… שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky לְבוֹנָה (lᵉbôwnâh, H3828) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke) בָּשַׂר (bâsar, H1319) — properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, (figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news) תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillâh, H8416) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) קֵדָר (Qêdâr, H6938) — Kedar, a son of Ishmael; also (collectively) Bedouin (as his descendants or… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… נְבָיוֹת (Nᵉbâyôwth, H5032) — Nebajoth, a son of Ismael, and the country settled by him שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar פָּאַר (pâʼar, H6286) — to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e.… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) תִּפְאָרָה (tiphʼârâh, H8597) — ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עוּף (ʻûwph, H5774) — to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) אֲרֻבָּה (ʼărubbâh, H699) — a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney…
Open source ↗אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect אֳנִיָּה (ʼŏnîyâh, H591) — a ship תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshîysh, H8659) — Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵכָר (nêkâr, H5236) — foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
Open source ↗שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to…
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) חָרַב (chârab, H2717) — to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
Open source ↗כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) תִּדְהָר (tidhâr, H8410) — enduring; a species of hard-wood or lasting tree (perhaps oak) תְּאַשּׁוּר (tᵉʼashshûwr, H8391) — a species of cedar (from its erectness) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly פָּאַר (pâʼar, H6286) — to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e.… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) נָאַץ (nâʼats, H5006) — to scorn; שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
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.”
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.
The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
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.