Isaiah 30:26

KJV

Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the light {H216} of the moon {H3842} shall be as the light {H216} of the sun {H2535}, and the light {H216} of the sun {H2535} shall be sevenfold {H7659}, as the light {H216} of seven {H7651} days {H3117}, in the day {H3117} that the LORD {H3068} bindeth up {H2280} the breach {H7667} of his people {H5971}, and healeth {H7495} the stroke {H4273} of their wound {H4347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, the light of the moon will be as bright as the light of the sun; and the light of the sun will be seven times stronger, like the light of seven days [in one], on the day ADONAI binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruise caused by the blow.

Berean Standard Bible

The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days—on the day that the LORD binds up the brokenness of His people and heals the wounds He has inflicted.

American Standard Version

Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah bindeth up the hurt of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 30:26 presents a breathtaking vision of eschatological hope, where the created order itself is magnified to reflect the glory of God's redemptive work. In a single, powerful image, the prophet connects a supernatural increase in celestial light—the moon shining like the sun, and the sun shining with the brilliance of seven days—to a specific, divine act: the day the LORD tenderly binds the wounds and heals the brokenness of His people. This verse serves as a climactic promise following a chapter filled with warnings against faithless alliances, assuring Israel that God's ultimate intention is not punitive destruction but glorious, comprehensive restoration. It encapsulates the transition from judgment to grace, painting a future where God's presence is not only healing but also luminously and undeniably manifest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the stunning climax of a section (Isaiah 30:18-26) that pivots dramatically from judgment to grace. The preceding verses (1-17) deliver a scathing oracle against Judah for seeking an alliance with Egypt in defiance of God's counsel, a plan deemed rebellious and ultimately futile. The tone shifts at verse 18, where Isaiah declares, "Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you." What follows is a series of promises for a repentant remnant: the return of their "Teacher," provision in famine, and guidance. Isaiah 30:26 is the apex of this promised restoration, moving beyond earthly provision to a cosmic renewal that accompanies the spiritual and national healing of God's people. It concludes this specific oracle of hope before the next "Woe" oracle begins in [chapter 31](/isaiah/31 "Isaiah 31 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a period of immense geopolitical turmoil in the 8th century BC, primarily under the looming shadow of the aggressive Neo-Assyrian Empire. King Hezekiah of Judah, to whom much of this prophecy is addressed, faced intense pressure to join a coalition with Egypt to rebel against Assyrian domination. This historical reality is the backdrop for God's condemnation of Judah's misplaced trust in human power, a theme central to [the first half of Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1-39 - Prophecies of Judgment and Hope"). In this ancient world, light and darkness were potent symbols. Light represented life, security, divine favor, and knowledge, while darkness signified chaos, judgment, and death. The promise of impossibly brilliant light would have been a culturally resonant symbol of God's ultimate triumph and blessing, signifying a new age of unparalleled divine presence and security.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully synthesizes several of Isaiah's major themes. First is the theme of **Judgment and Hope**, where divine discipline for sin (the "breach" and "wound") is never the final word for God's covenant people; it is a precursor to a glorious restoration. Second is the theme of **Divine Healing and Restoration**. God is not a distant, angry deity but the Great Physician who personally "bindeth up" and "healeth" the injuries His people have sustained, many of which were self-inflicted through rebellion. This echoes the promise that the Messiah would [bear our griefs and carry our sorrows](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Took Up Our Pain"). Finally, it contributes to the theme of **Eschatological Glory**, pointing to a future day when creation itself will be renewed, reflecting the perfected state of God's redeemed people and the unfiltered manifestation of His glory, a concept later expanded in passages like [Isaiah 60:19-20](/isaiah/60-19 "Isaiah 60:19-20 - The LORD as Everlasting Light").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Light (Hebrew, _ʼôwr_):** This word, appearing four times in the verse, signifies far more than mere physical brightness. It denotes illumination in every sense: divine presence, truth, joy, prosperity, and life itself. By using _ʼôwr_ for both the moon and sun, Isaiah places them in the same category of brilliance, and then multiplies the sun's light, suggesting a reality where God's glorious presence completely transforms and elevates the natural order.
* **Bindeth up (Hebrew, _châbash_):** This is a tender, intimate verb. While it can mean to govern or saddle, its primary sense here is to wrap a wound or a compress, like a physician carefully dressing an injury. It portrays the LORD not as a king issuing a distant decree of healing, but as a compassionate healer who personally and gently mends the fractures of His people.
* **Breach (Hebrew, _sheber_):** This word denotes a fracture, a breaking, or a ruin. It powerfully describes the national and spiritual devastation of Israel and Judah. Their society was fractured by sin, their security was broken by foreign invasion, and their relationship with God was ruptured by idolatry and faithlessness. God's act of binding this _sheber_ is an act of complete and total restoration of that which was shattered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days":** This opening clause uses hyperbole to describe a future state of unimaginable blessing and glory. The moon, a mere reflector, will shine with the intensity of the sun. The sun itself will be amplified sevenfold, a number symbolizing divine perfection and completeness. This isn't just more light; it's a qualitative change in reality. Darkness, a symbol of sin, ignorance, and despair, is virtually eradicated in a world saturated by the manifest glory of God.
* **"in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.":** This clause provides the theological foundation for the cosmic transformation. The magnificent light is the direct result of God's specific redemptive action. The timing is precise: "in the day" that God acts as the Divine Physician. The "breach" (_sheber_) and "wound" (_makkâh_) refer to the cumulative damage of Israel's sin and the resulting divine judgment, likely manifested in political collapse and exile. God's healing is twofold: He "bindeth up" the fracture, suggesting structural and national restoration, and "healeth" the wound, suggesting personal and spiritual renewal.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with literary artistry. The most prominent device is **Symbolism**, where light represents God's glory, presence, truth, and blessing. The moon and sun are symbols of the current created order, which will be gloriously superseded. **Hyperbole** is used to express the inexpressible magnitude of this future glory; the "sevenfold" light is not a literal calculation but a poetic depiction of ultimate perfection and intensity. The entire verse is a work of **Prophetic Imagery**, painting a vivid word-picture of a future reality to inspire hope in a suffering audience. Finally, the verse employs **Parallelism**, where the act of "binding the breach" is paired with "healing the wound," reinforcing the single concept of God's complete and comprehensive restoration from two slightly different angles—mending the broken structure and curing the inflicted injury.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prophecy of renewed and intensified light connects to a grand biblical theme of God's glorious presence, which begins in Eden and culminates in the New Jerusalem. The light described here is a restoration and amplification of the perfect world God intended. It recalls the light of God's glory—the Shekinah—that filled the Tabernacle and the Temple, a visible sign of His presence among His people. Isaiah 30:26 promises a day when that glorious light will not be confined to a sanctuary but will permeate all of creation. It is a promise that God will reverse the curse of sin, healing not only His people but the cosmos itself, making it a fitting habitation for a redeemed community living in His unveiled presence. This verse stands as a vital link between the memory of God's past glorious manifestations and the ultimate hope of a world filled with His light.

* [Isaiah 60:19](/isaiah/60-19 "Isaiah 60:19 - The LORD as Everlasting Light")
* [Malachi 4:2](/malachi/4-2 "Malachi 4:2 - The Sun of Righteousness")
* [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - The Glory of God as Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 30:26 is a profound source of hope for anyone experiencing a season of darkness, brokenness, or pain. It assures us that our present reality is not our final destination. The verse invites us to lift our eyes from our immediate wounds—be they personal failures, relational fractures, or communal strife—and fix them on the God who promises not just to patch things up, but to bring about a restoration so complete and glorious that it will transform the very atmosphere around us. The connection between God's healing and the increase of light is crucial; as God mends our deepest hurts, His light of truth, joy, and presence shines more brightly in and through us. This passage challenges us to trust in God's timing ("in the day that the LORD...") and to believe in the magnitude of His restorative power, which far exceeds our limited imagination. It calls us to live as people of hope, anticipating the day when all shadows will flee and every wound will be healed forever.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life, your community, or the world do you see a "breach" or a "wound" that seems beyond repair? How does this verse challenge you to pray for God's healing intervention in that situation?**
* **The verse links supernatural light with divine healing. How has experiencing God's grace or healing in your own life brought more "light" (understanding, joy, hope) into your perspective?**
* **How does the image of God tenderly "binding up" a fracture, rather than just commanding it to be healed, shape your understanding of His character and His care for you in your brokenness?**
* **This promise was given to a people who were being disciplined for their sin. How does that context encourage you when you are facing the consequences of your own poor choices?**

### FAQ
**Is the "sevenfold" light of the sun to be taken literally?**

Answer: It is highly unlikely that this prophecy is meant to be interpreted as a literal, scientific prediction about the future luminosity of the sun. The number seven in Hebrew thought and biblical literature consistently symbolizes perfection, completeness, and divine fullness. By stating the sun's light will be "sevenfold," Isaiah is using powerful, poetic language to convey the idea of a perfect, complete, and overwhelmingly glorious illumination. It signifies a new era where the blessing and presence of God are experienced in their absolute fullness, in the same way that the number seven represents the completion of the creation week in [the Genesis account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Therefore, "sevenfold" should be understood as a theological and symbolic statement of ultimate perfection, not a literal astrophysical calculation. It points to the quality and source of the light—the manifest glory of God—rather than its mere quantity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah’s prophecy finds its ultimate and personal fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus declared, ["I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - I am the light of the world"). He is the true Light, infinitely brighter than the sun, whose coming into the world began the dawn of this promised age. The healing described by Isaiah is perfectly accomplished in Christ's atoning work. He is the Great Physician who came to [preach good news to the poor and to bind up the brokenhearted](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"). The "breach" of our sin that separated us from God was bound up on the cross, where Jesus healed the "stroke" of the divine judgment we deserved. The full, cosmic realization of Isaiah's vision points to Christ's second coming and the creation of the new heavens and new earth. In that day, the glory of God will be the light source, and as the Apostle John saw in his vision, the city will have no need for the sun or moon, for ["the Lamb is its light."](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - The Lamb is the light"). Thus, Isaiah 30:26 is a magnificent prophecy of the gospel: the glorious light of Christ breaking into our world to heal our deepest wounds and bring us into an eternity illuminated by His presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 60:19

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

Isaiah 60:20

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 21:23

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

Isaiah 24:23

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Zechariah 14:7

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, [that] at evening time it shall be light.