Isaiah 60:13-17

Context

60:13 The splendor of Lebanon will come to you,

its evergreens, firs, and cypresses together,

to beautify my palace;¹

I will bestow honor on my throne room.²

60:14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing to you;

all who treated you with disrespect will bow down at your feet.

They will call you, ‘The City of the Lord,

Zion of the Holy One of Israel.’³

60:15 You were once abandoned

and despised, with no one passing through,

but I will make you⁴ a permanent source of pride

and joy to coming generations.

60:16 You will drink the milk of nations;

you will nurse at the breasts of kings.⁵

Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your deliverer,

your protector,⁶ the powerful ruler of Jacob.⁷

60:17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold,

instead of iron, I will bring you silver,

instead of wood, I will bring you⁸ bronze,

instead of stones, I will bring you⁹ iron.

I will make prosperity¹⁰ your overseer,

and vindication your sovereign ruler.¹¹

[60:13] ¹tn Or “holy place, sanctuary.”

[60:13] ²tn Heb “the place of my feet.” See Ezek 43:7, where the Lord’s throne is called the “place of the soles of my feet.”

[60:14] ³sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.

[60:15] ⁵tn Heb “Instead of your being abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you.”

[60:16] ⁷sn 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.

[60:16] ⁸tn Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.

[60:16] ⁹sn See 1:24 and 49:26.

[60:17] ⁹tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding lines).

[60:17] ¹⁰tn The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the first two lines of the verse).

[60:17] ¹¹tn Or “peace” (KJV and many other English versions).

[60:17] ¹²tn 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.