Bible Glide

Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Isaiah 60 speaks hope over Zion after hardship. It pictures a city transformed by God's glory, drawing in nations, wealth, and worship. The chapter moves from shame and loss to peace, righteousness, and lasting light, with God Himself bringing the change in his time.

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What happens in Isaiah 60?

This chapter announces that Zion should rise because the Lord's glory has come. While darkness covers the nations, God's light will shine over his people and draw kings, wealth, and worship from far places. Jerusalem's gates will stay open as foreigners help rebuild and the nations bring honor. The city that was once forsaken will become a place of peace, praise, and enduring joy. The chapter ends with the promise that the Lord will be the everlasting light, and that he will bring this future glory to completion.

Isaiah 60 comes after a section of confession, judgment, and promises of rescue. It shifts the focus to Zion's restored future under the Lord's favor. The chapter builds on earlier hope in Isaiah and prepares for the next section, where comfort, good news, and God's anointed mission are emphasized.

Themes to notice

  • Divine lightGod's glory replaces darkness and becomes the source of Zion's hope and future brightness.
  • Restored ZionThe city moves from shame and desolation to honor, security, and lasting joy.
  • Peace and righteousnessGod establishes a future marked by justice, peace, and the end of violence and sorrow.

Questions for Isaiah 60

  • What does it mean for the Lord to be Zion's light instead of the sun or moon?
  • How do the nations' gifts and service show God's plan to restore his people?
  • Which promises in this chapter speak most clearly to a season of loss or discouragement?

Read the full text of Isaiah 60 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Isaiah 60

Future Glory for Zion

1Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

2For 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.

3Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4Lift 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.

5Then 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.

6Caravans 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.

7All 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.

8Who are these who fly like clouds,

like doves to their shelters?

9Surely 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.

10Foreigners will rebuild your walls,

and their kings will serve you.

Although I struck you in anger,

yet in favor I will show you mercy.

11Your 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.

12For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;

it will be utterly destroyed.

13The glory of Lebanon will come to you—

its cypress, elm, and boxwood together—

to adorn the place of My sanctuary,

and I will glorify the place of My feet.

14The 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.

15Whereas you have been forsaken and despised,

with no one passing through,

I will make you an everlasting pride,

a joy from age to age.

16You 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.

17Instead 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.

18No 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.

19No 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.

20Your 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.

21Then 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.

22The 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.

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