Text -- Isaiah 60:16-22 (NET)

60:16 You will drink the milk of nations; you will nurse at the breasts of kings. Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your deliverer, your protector, the powerful ruler of Jacob. 60:17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold, instead of iron, I will bring you silver, instead of wood, I will bring you bronze, instead of stones, I will bring you iron. I will make prosperity your overseer, and vindication your sovereign ruler. 60:18 Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land, or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders. You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’ and your gates, ‘Praise.’ 60:19 The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light– the splendor of your God will shine upon you. 60:20 Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over. 60:21 All of your people will be godly; they will possess the land permanently. I will plant them like a shoot; they will be the product of my labor, through whom I reveal my splendor. 60:22 The least of you will multiply into a thousand; the smallest of you will become a large nation. When the right time comes, I the Lord will quickly do this!”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 60:16

¹ sn The nations and kings are depicted as a mother nursing her children. Restored Zion will be nourished by them as she receives their wealth as tribute.

² tn Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.

³ sn See 1:24 and 49:26.

NET Notes: Isa 60:17

¹ tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding lines).

² tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the first two lines of the verse).

³ tn Or “peace” (KJV and many other English versions).

⁴ tn The plural indicates degree. The language is ironic; in the past Zion was ruled by oppressive tyrants, but now personified prosperity and vindication will be the only things that will “dominate” the city.

NET Notes: Isa 60:18

¹ tn The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

² tn The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

NET Notes: Isa 60:19

¹ tn Heb “and your God for your splendor.”

NET Notes: Isa 60:20

¹ sn In this verse “sun” and “moon” refer to the Lord’s light, which will replace the sun and moon (see v. 19). Light here symbolizes the restoration of divine blessing and prosperity in conjunction with the Lord’s presence. See 30:26.

² tn Heb “days” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

NET Notes: Isa 60:21

¹ tn Or “righteous” (NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “just.”

² tn Heb “a shoot of his planting, the work of my hands, to reveal splendor.”

NET Notes: Isa 60:22

¹ tn Heb “will become” (so NASB, NIV).

² tn Heb “I, the Lord, in its time, I will quickly do it.”