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Isaiah 60 · a question people ask

What does the chapter say about the nations serving Zion (60:10-14)?

In the text

It says it plainly: "Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you" (60:10); "For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted" (60:12); and "The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you" (60:14). The chapter gives reasons in its own words: "for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you" (60:9), and "for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you" (60:10). It says what Zion will then know: "Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob" (60:16). And 60:21 ends, "that I may be glorified" (60:21). The chapter opens with nations coming "to your light" (60:3), after "your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you" (60:1). It doesn't name the nation or kingdom of 60:12. These notes name no one the chapter doesn't name, and apply none of it to any nation, people, city or conflict today.

The verses

““Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you!”
Isaiah 60:1 · World English Bible
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
Isaiah 60:3 · World English Bible
“Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. “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.”
Isaiah 60:9-10 · World English Bible
“For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.”
Isaiah 60:12 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60: Arise, shine

Zion is told to shine because "your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you" (60:1). Near the end she hears, "the LORD will be your everlasting light" (60:19); everlasting light, or olam, stands in the Hebrew Bible only in 60:19-20.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions