---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 60"
description: "CHAPTER 60   :-. ISRAEL"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60"
---

CHAPTER 60

. ISRAEL'S
GLORY AFTER HER
AFFLICTION.
An ode of congratulation to Zion
on her restoration at the Lord's second advent to her true position
as the mother church from which the Gospel is to be diffused to the
whole Gentile world; the first promulgation of the Gospel among the
Gentiles, *beginning at Jerusalem* [], is an earnest of this. The language is too glorious to
apply to anything that as yet has happened.

**1. Arise**—from the dust in
which thou hast been sitting as a mourning female captive ([Isaiah 3:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/3/26);
[Isaiah 52:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/1); [Isaiah 52:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/2)).
**shine**—or, "be
enlightened; for thy light cometh"; impart to others the
spiritual light now given thee ([Isaiah 52:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/2)). The *Margin* and GESENIUS
translate, "Be enlightened"; be resplendent with posterity;
imperative for the future indicative, "Thou shalt be
enlightened" ([Isaiah 58:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/58/8);
[Isaiah 58:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/58/10); [Ephesians 5:8](../../../kjv/ephesians/5/8);
[Ephesians 5:14](../../../kjv/ephesians/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 ([Jeremiah 3:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/16);
[Jeremiah 3:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/17)).
**is risen**—as the sun
([Malachi 4:2](../../../kjv/malachi/4/2); [Luke 1:78](../../../kjv/luke/1/78),
*Margin*).

**2. darkness . . . earth**—the
*rest* of the earth: in contrast with "*light* . . .
upon *thee*" ([Isaiah 60:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/1)).
The earth will be afterwards enlightened through Israel ([Isaiah 60:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/1)).
**be seen**—*conspicuously:*
so the *Hebrew.*

**3.** ([Isaiah 2:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/3);
[Isaiah 11:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/10); [Isaiah 43:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/43/6);
[Isaiah 49:22](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/22); [Isaiah 66:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/12)).
**kings**— ([Isaiah 49:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/7);
[Isaiah 49:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/23); [Isaiah 52:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/15)).
**thy rising**—rather, "thy
sun-rising," that is, "to the brightness that riseth upon
thee."

**4. Lift up . . . eyes**—Jerusalem
is addressed as a female with *eyes cast down* from grief.
**all they . . . they**—The
Gentile peoples come together to bring back the dispersed Hebrews,
restore their city, and worship Jehovah with offerings.
**nursed at thy side**—rather
"carried at thy side." It is the custom in the East to
carry the children astride on the hip, with the arms around the body
([Isaiah 66:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/12)).

**5. see**— (), namely, the bringing back of thy sons.
**flow together**—rather,
"overflow *with joy*" [LOWTH];
or, from a different *Hebrew* root, "*be bright with joy*"
[GESENIUS] ().
**fear**—rather, *beat
with the agitation* of solemn joy at the marvellous sight
[HORSLEY] ().
**be enlarged**—*swell*
with delight. Grief, on the contrary, *contracts* the heart.
**abundance of . . . sea**—the
*wealth* of the lands beyond *the sea,* as in Solomon's
time, the type of the coming reign of the Prince of peace.
**converted**—rather, "*be
turned,*" instead of being turned to purposes of sin and
idolatry.
**forces**—rather,
"riches."

**6. camels**—laden with
merchandise; the camel is "the ship of the desert" (compare
[Isaiah 30:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/6)).
**cover thee**—so many of
them shall there be.
**dromedaries**—They have
one hunch on the back, whereas the *camel* has two:
distinguished for swiftness ([Isaiah 30:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/6)).
**Midian**—east of the
Elanitic branch of the Red Sea, and stretching northward along Mount
Seir. Associated with the Ishmaelites in traffic ([Genesis 37:25](../../../kjv/genesis/37/25);
[Genesis 37:28](../../../kjv/genesis/37/28)).
**Ephah**—part of Midian,
east of the Dead Sea. It abounded in camels ([Genesis 37:28](../../../kjv/genesis/37/28)).
**Sheba**—in Arabia-Felix,
famed for frankincense and gold ([Psalms 72:15](../../../kjv/psalms/72/15);
[Jeremiah 6:20](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/20)), which they traded in
([Isaiah 45:14](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/14); [Job 6:19](../../../kjv/job/6/19);
[Ezekiel 27:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/22)).

**7. Kedar**— ([Isaiah 21:16](../../../kjv/isaiah/21/16);
[Song of Solomon 1:5](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/1/5)), in the south of
Arabia-Deserta, or north of Arabia-Petræa; they traded in flocks
([Ezekiel 27:21](../../../kjv/ezekiel/27/21)).
**Nebaioth**—son of
Ishmael, as was Kedar. Father of the Nabatheans in Arabia-Petræa.
**minister**—by coming up
as an acceptable sacrifice.
**come up with acceptance**—that
is, acceptably. The rams *offering themselves* voluntarily
([Psalms 68:30](../../../kjv/psalms/68/30); [Romans 12:1](../../../kjv/romans/12/1);
[1 Peter 2:5](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/5)), without waiting for any
other priest, answer to believers strong in faith and lamb-like
meekness; and in the white fleece-like robe of sanctity [VITRINGA].
**house of my glory**—the
temple ([Ezekiel 41:1-26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/41/1-26);
[Haggai 2:7](../../../kjv/haggai/2/7); [Haggai 2:9](../../../kjv/haggai/2/9);
[Malachi 3:1](../../../kjv/malachi/3/1)).

**8.** The prophet, seeing in vision
new hosts approaching quickly like a cloud of doves, asks who they
are.

**9.** (see on ).
**Tarshish first**—The
ships of *Tartessus* (see on ; [Isaiah 23:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/23/1), that is,
vessels that trade to the most distant regions) will be among the
*foremost* to bring back the scattered Israelites ([Isaiah 23:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/23/1)).
**their silver**—The
nations among whom the Jews have been scattered shall help them with
their money in returning ([Isaiah 60:5-7](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/5-7);
[Isaiah 60:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/11); [Isaiah 60:16](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/16)),
as was the case at the return from Babylon ([Isaiah 60:16](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/16); compare [Psalms 68:30](../../../kjv/psalms/68/30);
[Psalms 68:31](../../../kjv/psalms/68/31)).
**unto the name . . . to the
Holy One**—rather, *because of* the name—*because of*
the Holy One (compare [Isaiah 55:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/55/5))
[LOWTH].

**10. kings . . . minister unto
thee**—(See on [Isaiah 60:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/6);
[Isaiah 49:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/23)).
**in my wrath I smote thee**—
([Isaiah 54:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/54/7); [Isaiah 54:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/54/8);
[Isaiah 57:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/17)).

**11.** (). The gates are ever open to receive new offerings and
converts ([Isaiah 26:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/2); [Acts 14:27](../../../kjv/acts/14/27);
[Revelation 3:8](../../../kjv/revelation/3/8)). In time of *peace*
the gates of a city are open: so, under the Prince of peace, there
shall be no need of barring gates against invaders.
**forces**—riches.
**be brought**—as willing
captives to the truth; or, *if not willingly,* be bought by
*judgments to submit to Israel* ([Isaiah 60:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/12);
[Isaiah 60:14](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/14)). GESENIUS
explains it, "may come *escorted by a retinue.*"

**12. For**—the reason which will
lead Gentile kings and people to submit themselves; fear of the God
in Israel ([Zechariah 14:17](../../../kjv/zechariah/14/17)).

**13. glory**—that is, the *trees*
which adorned Lebanon; emblem of men eminent in natural gifts,
devoting all that is in them to the God of Israel ([Hosea 14:5](../../../kjv/hosea/14/5);
[Hosea 14:6](../../../kjv/hosea/14/6)).
**fir . . . pine . . .
box**—rather, "the cypress . . . ilex . . . cedar."
**place of my
sanctuary**—Jerusalem ([Hosea 14:6](../../../kjv/hosea/14/6)).
**place of my feet**—no
longer the *ark* ([Jeremiah 3:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/16)),
"the footstool" of Jehovah ([Psalms 99:5](../../../kjv/psalms/99/5);
[Psalms 132:7](../../../kjv/psalms/132/7); [1 Chronicles 28:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/28/2));
but "the place of His throne, the place of the soles of His
feet, where He will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for
ever," in the new temple ([1 Chronicles 28:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/28/2)).

**14. The sons**—Their *fathers*
who "afflicted" Israel having been cut off by divine
judgments ([Isaiah 14:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/1); [Isaiah 14:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/2);
[Isaiah 49:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/23)).
**The Zion of the Holy One**—The
royal court of the Holy One. MAURER
translates, "Zion, *the sanctuary* (*holy place*) of
Israel" ([Isaiah 57:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/15); [Psalms 46:4](../../../kjv/psalms/46/4)).

**15. forsaken**— ([Psalms 78:60](../../../kjv/psalms/78/60);
[Psalms 78:61](../../../kjv/psalms/78/61)).
**no man went through thee**—Thy
land was so desolate that no traveller, or caravan, passed through
thee; true only of Israel, not true of the Church ([Psalms 78:61](../../../kjv/psalms/78/61)).
**excellency**—glory, that
is, for ever honored.

**16. suck**—Thou shalt draw to
thyself and enjoy all that is valuable of the possessions of the
Gentiles, c. ([Isaiah 49:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/23) [Isaiah 61:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/6);
[Isaiah 66:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/11); [Isaiah 66:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/12)).
**know**—by the favors
bestowed on thee, and through thee on the Gentiles.

**17.** Poetically, with figurative
allusion to the furniture of the temple; all things in that happy age
to come shall be changed for the better.
**exactors**—namely, of
tribute.
**righteousness**—All
rulers in restored Jerusalem shall not only be peaceable and
righteous, but shall be, as it were, "peace" and
"righteousness" itself in their administration.

**18.** (). Not only shall thy walls keep thee *safe* from foes,
but "Salvation" shall serve as thy walls, converting thy
foes into friends, and so ensuring thee perfect safety ([Isaiah 26:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/1);
[Isaiah 26:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/2)).
**gates**—once the scene of
"destruction" when victorious foes burst through them ([Isaiah 26:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/2)); henceforth to be not only the scene of praises, but
"Praise" itself; the "gates," as the place of
public concourse, were the scene of thanksgivings ([2 Chronicles 31:2](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/31/2);
[Psalms 9:14](../../../kjv/psalms/9/14); [Psalms 24:7](../../../kjv/psalms/24/7);
[Psalms 100:4](../../../kjv/psalms/100/4)). "Judah,"
the favored tribe, means "praise."

**19.** The sun and moon, the
brightest objects by day and night, shall be eclipsed by the
surpassing glory of God manifesting Himself to thee ([Isaiah 30:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/26);
[Zechariah 2:5](../../../kjv/zechariah/2/5); [Revelation 21:23](../../../kjv/revelation/21/23);
[Revelation 22:5](../../../kjv/revelation/22/5)).

**20.** There shall be no national
and spiritual obscuration again as formerly ([Joel 2:10](../../../kjv/joel/2/10);
[Amos 8:9](../../../kjv/amos/8/9)).
**mourning . . . ended**—
([Isaiah 25:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/8); [Revelation 21:4](../../../kjv/revelation/21/4)).

**21. all righteous**— ([Isaiah 4:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/4/3);
[Isaiah 52:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/1); [Revelation 21:27](../../../kjv/revelation/21/27)).
**inherit . . . land**—
([Isaiah 49:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/8); [Isaiah 54:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/54/3);
[Isaiah 65:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/9); [Psalms 37:11](../../../kjv/psalms/37/11);
[Psalms 37:22](../../../kjv/psalms/37/22); [Matthew 5:5](../../../kjv/matthew/5/5)).
**branch of my planting**—
([Isaiah 61:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/3); [Psalms 92:13](../../../kjv/psalms/92/13);
[Matthew 15:13](../../../kjv/matthew/15/13)).
**work of my hands**—the
converted Israelites ([Isaiah 29:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/29/23);
[Isaiah 45:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/11)).
**that I may be glorified**—the
final end of all God's gracious dealings ([Isaiah 49:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/3);
[Isaiah 61:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/3)).

**22. little one**—Even one, and
that the smallest in number and rank, shall be multiplied a
thousandfold in both respects ([Micah 5:2](../../../kjv/micah/5/2);
[Matthew 13:31](../../../kjv/matthew/13/31); [Matthew 13:32](../../../kjv/matthew/13/32)).
**his time**—not *our*
time; *we* might wish to hasten it, but it will come in due
time, as in the case of Jesus' first coming ([Matthew 13:32](../../../kjv/matthew/13/32)); so in that of the restoration of Israel and the conversion
of the world ([Isaiah 66:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/8); [Habakkuk 2:3](../../../kjv/habakkuk/2/3);
[Acts 1:7](../../../kjv/acts/1/7); [Hebrews 10:37](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/37)).

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 60"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 60","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 60   :-. ISRAEL'S\nGLORY AFTER HER\nAFFLICTION. An ode of congratulation to Zion\non her restoration at the Lord's second advent to her true position","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah","name":"Isaiah"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/60","name":"60"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```