The Bible — World English Bible
Isaiah 60
In brief
Isaiah 60 is a song of restoration addressed to Jerusalem after the ordeal. While darkness covers the earth, the glory of the Lord rises over his people, and the nations come to that light with their treasures and their praise. The walls are rebuilt, the gates stay open, violence disappears, and God himself becomes the everlasting light. The text is often read at Epiphany, alongside the magi of Matthew 2, and as a call to shine for God today.
The chapter in 5 parts
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 bronze I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, bronze, 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.”
Key verses
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you.
The command is simple: arise. The light comes from God, but it calls for a response: leaving discouragement behind and letting yourself be lit.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
The nations walk toward the light. The text announces that God's salvation reaches beyond Israel, which the New Testament sees fulfilled in the coming of the magi.
“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.
God promises to turn the situation of the one who was abandoned and hated into a source of joy from generation to generation.
The 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.
The sun and the moon give way to the Lord, the everlasting light. The vision matches Revelation 21, where God himself lights the city.
The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time.”
The little one will become a thousand: God's promise does not depend on the size of the starting point, and he hastens its fulfillment in his time.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 60
What does “Arise, shine” mean in Isaiah 60:1?
It is the order given to Jerusalem, brought low by exile, to get up because the glory of the Lord is rising over her. The light does not come from her own strength but from God. Many believers read this verse as a personal call to leave discouragement behind and reflect the light of Christ.
What is the main message of Isaiah 60?
After judgment, God promises restoration: his glory over his people, the nations drawn to that light, the walls rebuilt, peace and justice, and finally the Lord himself as everlasting light. The chapter invites hope, even when darkness seems to cover the earth.
What is the link between Isaiah 60 and the magi of Matthew 2?
Verses 3 to 6 speak of nations coming to the light, with gold and incense. This recalls the magi who came from the East with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Many see in it an announcement that salvation would be opened to the nations, although Matthew's text does not quote Isaiah 60 explicitly.
Articles quoting Isaiah 60
- Epiphany: What the Bible Really Says About the Wise Men
- Your Glory Depends on the Throne You Worship Before
- Your Glory in This Land: What Joseph Prophesies Over You
- How to Become an Agent of Revival: 7 Keys from Moses
- Destined to Shine: Revival, Heart, and Good Works (CDR25)
- Women and Ministry: A Heart That Carries the Glory
World English Bible translation — public domain.