Isaías 60
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 60
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS There is a radical change in the mood between Isaiah 59 and Isaiah 60-62. Isaiah 60-62 form a unit that deals with the glorious future of God's people as depicted in the restoration of Jerusalem.
Isaías 60:1-3
60:1 "Arise, shine" Two Qal IMPERATIVES implore the covenant people to be what they were called to be for themselves and for the world (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). Light is recurrent imagery in this chapter to describe: God's presence, Isa. 60:1,2,9-20; Rev. 21:23; 22:5 spiritual holiness, Isa. 60:1,3,5,21; 62:1 recurring imagery of light in Isaiah (cf. Isa. 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; 58:8; 59:9) SPECIAL TOPIC: LIGHT ▣ "your light has come" The subject of Isa. 60:1-22 is "Zion" (cf. Isa. 60:14), which symbolizes the people of God. The common VERB "come" (BDB 97, KB 112) is used several times in this chapter. has come ‒ Qal PERFECT, Isa. 60:1 come ‒ Qal PERFECT, Isa. 60:4 will come ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 60:4 will come ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 60:5 will come ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 60:6 will bring ‒ Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, Isa. 60:6 bring ‒ same as #6, Isa. 60:11 will come ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 60:13 will bring ‒ Hiphil IMPERFECT, twice, Isa. 60:17 same as #9 will set ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, Isa. 60:20 Remember the time element is not in the Hebrew VERB but in its use in context. ▣ "the glory of the Lord" This is parallel to "light" in line 1. It is used in other places in Isaiah connected to light/lights (cf. Isa. 24:23; 58:8) and agricultural abundance (cf. Isa. 35:2). The Hebrew term for "glory" (BDB 458), because of its association with the Shekinah cloud of glory (cf. Exod. 13:21-22; 14:19,20,24; 19:16-18; 20:21), symbolized YHWH's personal presence with the Israelites during the Exodus. Fire and lightning were associated with the coming of YHWH to Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 19-20), so brightness became an aspect of "glory." Notice YHWH's glory. will rise ‒ BDB 280, KB 281, Qal IMPERFECT will appear ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT) 60:2 This has some allusion to the physical darkness of Gen. 1:1-2 or Exod. 10:21-23 or even Isa. 9:2, and the spiritual darkness caused by sin. YHWH will not allow the darkness of the Fall (cf. Genesis 3), which covers all humans, to remain. His "light" of revelation and salvation will rise (Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 280, KB 281). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND SPECIAL TOPIC: DARKNESS SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "earth" Erets (BDB 75, KB 90) has a wide semantic field. SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH 60:3 "Nations will come to your light" It is obvious that God's original purpose for Israel was to bring the world to Himself (cf. Isa. 61:6,11b; 62:2,11; Gen. 12:3; Exod. 19:5-6). Of all the prophets, with the possible exceptions of Micah and Jonah, it is Isaiah who saw the universal implications of monotheism (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM) OT Patriarchal promises (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS) Israel's evangelistic purpose (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN) Note Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 42:6-12; 45:14,22-25; 49:23; 51:4-5; 56:6-7; 60:1-3; 66:23. This is surely the precursor of John 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; I John 2:2; 4:14. The NT, following the teachings of Jesus, universalized the OT promises to Israel (cf. Gen. 12:3; Exod. 19:5), to the whole world (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). Neither Jesus nor any NT Apostle ever reaffirms a national promise to Israel. The OT has been fulfilled and overflowed in the Gospel (cf. Matt. 5:17-19; Eph. 2:11-3:13).
Isaías 60:4-9
60:4 "Lift up. . .see" These are two Qal IMPERATIVES (cf. Isa. 49:18; John 4:35). In this section of Isaiah IMPERATIVES often begin a new strophe. ▣ "Your sons will come from afar" In Isaiah 60-62, there are two major eschatological signs that deal with traveling. the people of God will return to their ancestral home, symbolized by the city of Jerusalem the nations, instead of taking the Jews prisoner and deporting them, will come to the people of God with gifts and praise 60:5 As a result of God's repentant people "seeing" (Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 906, KB 1157), notice the stated consequences of seeing the light of God (cf. Isa. 60:1,4,19,20). be radiant ‒ Qal PERFECT with waw, BDB 626, KB 676 thrill (lit. tremble) ‒ Qal PERFECT with waw, BDB 808, KB 922 rejoice ‒ Qal PERFECT with waw, BDB 931, KB 1210 The reasons for this hope and joy are God's gracious acts. the abundance of the seas will be turned to you (i.e. the wealth of the seafaring peoples) the wealth of the nations will come to you (cf. Isa. 60:6-7,11; 61:6) These parallel lines of poetry describe the gratitude of the nations for Israel's revealing of YHWH bringing the reality of YHWH's presence to earth opening a way for their inclusion to God's covenant family (cf. Isa. 56:7) In some ways, this parallels what happened when Israel left Egypt. Egyptians gave them gifts (cf. Exod. 12:35-36). 60:5b NASB, NRSV, Peshitta "rejoice" NKJV, TEV "with joy" "dilate" "with gladness" "thrill" The MT has two paralleled Qal PERFECT VERBS. BDB 808, KB 922, "in awe" BDB 931, KB 931, "to be wide" or "large" The second one is a Hebrew idiom. It referred to the excitement of a calf released from a pen into a wide, green pasture. The joy can be expressed by a similar Hebrew root (BDB 923), but the UBS Text Project, p. 153, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). However, the meaning of the line of poetry is the same. 60:6 "will bear good news of the praises of the Lord" The VERB (Piel IMPERFECT, BDB 142, KB 163) refers to the grace of God to Israel and to all nations (cf. Isa. 40:9-10; 41:27; 42:10-13; 52:7). Isn't it shocking to hear of the pagan nations praising the God of Israel? This is the obvious theological goal of monotheism. There is one God and all humans are created in His image and likeness (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) for fellowship (implication of Gen. 3:8; Lev. 26:12). The promise of Gen. 3:15 to all humans and the hope of covenant blessings to the families of the earth in Gen. 12:3 have come to fruition. SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 60:7 "Nabaioth" This refers to Arabian tribes, as the phrase, "the flocks of Kedar," does. This tribe is mentioned in Gen. 25:13. They are called the Nabateans by the Greeks and Romans. ▣ The last two poetic lines seem to imply Gentiles acting as priests at YHWH's altar. Wow! What a new day of inclusion (possibly linked to Isa. 56:7; 61:6-7; 66:21; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). 60:8 This refers to sails of ships on the horizon coming (i.e. v. 9) to the restored and renewed Jerusalem (cf. v. 7c, d). 60:9 "Surely the coastlands will wait for Me" The term "coastlands" (or "islands," BDB 15 I) is used in this section of Isaiah as a metaphor for all Gentiles. The VERB "wait" (Piel IMPERFECT, BDB 875, KB 1082) is often used of trusting in YHWH (cf. Isa. 8:17; 25:9; 26:8; 33:2). Notice how it is used of YHWH in Isa. 30:18! ▣ "the ships of Tarshish" Tarshish could refer to Southern Spain Sardinia a proverbial use of the ends of the earth SPECIAL TOPIC: TARSHISH ▣ Notice the covenant names for Deity (also notice Isa. 60:14,16). YHWH (God as Savior and Redeemer) Elohim (God as creator and provider) Holy One of Israel (covenant God) SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C., D. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE
Isaías 60:10-14
60:10 "For in My wrath I struck you, And in My favor I have had compassion on you" Here we see the two major actions of YHWH in the Bible: His grace (long term, cf. Ps. 103:10-14) His wrath (short term, cf. Isa. 57:16; Ps. 103:9) His judgment is parental in nature and meant to cause His creation to return to Him (cf. Romans 1-3; Heb. 12:1-13). 60:11 "Your gates will be open continually" This phrase is used to show security is assured availability is certain (cf. Rev. 21:25) 60:12 "the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish" This warning is similar to God's covenant with Abraham in Gen. 12:3. 60:13 This verse speaks of the construction of a new Holy Place (i.e. temple) with the beautiful lumber from Lebanon (cf. 1 Kgs. 5:15-25). SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE OF THE WILDERNESS ▣ "the place of My sanctuary; And I shall make the place of My feet glorious" The Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies symbolizes God's presence on earth. The Jews conceived of the space between the wings of the Cherubim as the footstool of God (cf. 1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; 132:7; Ezek. 43:7); His throne was in heaven. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEAVENS AND THE THIRD HEAVEN 60:14 "Zion" The term "Zion" (BDB 851) is synonymous with the City of Jerusalem. The temple was built on Mt. Moriah, but the city was seldom referred to by this term (cf. Isa. 62:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, JERUSALEM, ZION
Isaías 60:15-22
60:15-22 This passage is very similar to Rev. 21:1-27, which describes "New Jerusalem." There have been two major opinions on the relationship of the OT promises to the NT: They are meant to be taken literally and Jerusalem will be rebuilt with its central sacrificial temple, i.e. dispensational premillennialism. These passages are symbolic of the church and their significance is caught up in the NT as the new people of God, i.e. amillennialism. The same ambiguity can be seen in Isa. 61:6, where Israel is referred to as a "Priests of the Lord" (cf. Exod. 19:6 "a Kingdom of Priests"). But these same terms are used in 1 Pet. 2:5,9 and Rev. 1:6 to describe the church. Israel's purpose has always been to bring the world to God (cf. Isa. 62:2,11). However, they failed and God has chosen the church to fulfill this task. I have recently (2024) changed my eschatological opinion about Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21) 2 Thessalonians 2 the book of Revelation I have changed from a Futurist/Idealist to a Partial-Preterist/Idealist. Because of this, I have rewritten my exegetical notes on those Scripture texts. I hope you will look at the new videos and written commentary on Revelation. All of these Bible Studies are free online at www.freebiblecommentary.org. Click on the second blue box and then either "Written Bible Commentaries" or "Video Bible Commentaries." SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TEMPLE SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANTICHRIST SPECIAL TOPIC: SOON RETURN SPECIAL TOPIC: DELAYED RETURN SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANY MOMENT RETURN OF JESUS vs. THE NOT YET SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY ARE END-TIME EVENTS SO CONTROVERSIAL? 60:15 "you have been forsaken and hated" This phrase is a Hebrew idiom relating to marriage. We can see this in the terms to describe "Leah" in Gen. 29:21ff. This same idiom of marriage is continued in Isa. 62:4-5 and in the NT as the church in Eph. 5:22-33. "Hate" is a Hebrew idiom of comparison. SPECIAL TOPIC: HATE 60:16 This imagery mixes royal images (from David and Solomon) with iternational rulers Instead of the nations being enemies, they will come as nurses and servants. Their coming will bring salvation to them encouragement to the covenant people ▣ Notice the names/titles of Israel's God in v. 16. the Lord ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. your Savior ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: OUR SAVIOR your Redeemer ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM the Mighty One of Jacob ‒ Gen. 49:24; Ps. 132:2,5; Isa. 1:24; 49:26; 60:16 60:17 This is possibly an allusion to 1 Kgs. 14:26-27 relating to the stripping of precious metals from the temple to pay a tribute to Egypt. ▣ "And I will make peace your administrators And righteousness your overseers" This may reflect the Messianic government mentioned in Isaiah 7-14. SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIANIC ERA 60:18 This prophecy is surely not applicable to Israel's subsequent history (cf. Dan. 9:24-27)! This seems to show the absence of social violence and problems in the Messianic Age. ▣ "salvation" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) 60:19-20 John the Apostle uses this imagery in Rev. 21:23; 22:5. YHWH's presence is the true light! This may reflect Gen. 1:3. 60:20 The first three poetic lines emphasize the eternality of God's restoration promises to His covenant people. But, the problem is that they will be in trouble from foreigners again in the future. Greeks (Seleucids) Romans (cf. Dan. 9:24-27) With this in mind, two possibilities come to mind. this is a conditional covenant promise (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT) this refers to an eschatological time SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) ▣ "your mourning will be over" A new day has/will dawn, cf. Isa. 35:10; 65:19; Rev. 21:4. 60:21 "all your people will be righteous" God's blessings will come only when the people repent and obey. This is why the modern state of Israel cannot be a prophetic fulfillment. See Steve Gregg's YouTube video, "The Modern State of Israel," and while you are on this web site, see his "Deconstructing Dispensationalism" and "Deconstructing Calvinism." He, Himself, will provide a new heart, a new spirit, and a new mind (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36). This type of promise is the source of the theological debate over sovereignty and free will. Can fallen mankind do anything toward their own salvation or is everything (i.e. faith, repentance) a gift from God (cf. Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25). Other texts point toward a preaching that draws humans to repent (i.e. free will response to a Divine offer, cf. Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; John 1:12; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-13). Somehow both are biblical! This is the western problem with eastern paradox! SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes) SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION ▣ "They will possess the land forever" This may be an allusion to Gen. 17:8. The word "forever" is the interpretive problem because the Mosaic covenant is conditional on human obedience. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW ▣ "The branch of My planting" This same imagery is used in Isa. 61:3. It seems to reflect Psalm 1, but is also seen in Isa. 11:1. The OT uses agricultural imageries often. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BRANCH OF THE LORD SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS THE NAZARENE ▣ "The work of My hands" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD 60:22 "clan" This term can mean "thousands." SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) ▣ NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "hasten it in its time" "in its time I will accomplish it quickly" "I will make this happen quickly" "when the time is ripe. . .shall quickly bring it about" "at its appointed time. . .shall bring this swiftly to pass" "gather them in due time" "will speed it in due time" When is this prediction of return, restoration, and blessed prosperity to occur? in 538 B.C. by Cyrus II's decree in Dan. 9:24-27 in the eschaton Isaiah's prophetic poems purposely do not state the historical setting, so as to allow his predictions to fit different periods of time. History is in God's hands (cf. Isa. 45:23; 61:11).