Isaiah 60:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy sun {H8121} shall no more go down {H935}; neither shall thy moon {H3391} withdraw {H622} itself: for the LORD {H3068} shall be thine everlasting {H5769} light {H216}, and the days {H3117} of thy mourning {H60} shall be ended {H7999}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No longer will your sun go down; your moon will no longer wane; for ADONAI will be your light forever; your days of mourning will end.

Berean Standard Bible

Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 60:20 presents a sublime prophetic vision of ultimate restoration and divine blessing for Zion, often understood as God's redeemed people. It declares an era of perpetual divine presence and unending joy, where the natural cycles of day and night, and consequently, periods of sorrow and affliction, are entirely superseded by the Lord Himself, who becomes the eternal source of light, comfort, and peace, bringing an absolute end to all mourning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 60 stands as a magnificent crescendo in the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-66), following chapters that detail Israel's exile and the promise of their return. Chapter 60 specifically focuses on the glorious future of Jerusalem (Zion), portraying it as a city bathed in divine light, attracting nations and their wealth. The preceding verses (Isaiah 60:1-3) announce the dawn of God's glory upon Zion, contrasting it with the darkness covering the earth. This chapter is replete with promises of abundant prosperity, security, and perpetual peace, culminating in verse 20 as a climactic declaration of the permanence and perfection of this new era, where God's constant presence abolishes the need for natural light and ends all sorrow. It builds upon the themes of light and darkness introduced earlier in the book, particularly in [Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "Isaiah 9:2 - Light to Those in Darkness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 60 was delivered to a people who had experienced, or were about to experience, the trauma of exile and the destruction of Jerusalem. Their world was characterized by cycles of light and darkness, both literally and figuratively, representing periods of prosperity and adversity. The sun and moon were essential for life, marking time and providing illumination. Culturally, mourning rituals were deeply ingrained, signifying loss, grief, and often national calamity (e.g., the destruction of the temple). The promise of an unending day and the cessation of mourning would have been revolutionary, speaking to a desire for ultimate security, stability, and freedom from suffering that no earthly kingdom could provide. This vision transcends the immediate post-exilic return, pointing to an ultimate, eschatological reality.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and biblical theology. Foremost is **Divine Light and Presence**, where the Lord Himself is the "everlasting light," signifying a direct, unmediated, and permanent divine illumination that replaces the need for natural light sources. This speaks to a profound intimacy and constant manifestation of God's glory among His people, echoing the divine presence in the tabernacle and temple. Another crucial theme is the **End of Suffering and Mourning**, promising a state of perpetual joy and peace where grief and darkness are entirely absent. This theme is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, offering profound comfort and hope for a future free from the pain of the present age, as seen in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain"). Finally, the passage emphasizes **Eternal Security and Restoration**, conveyed by the imagery of the sun and moon never withdrawing. This speaks to an unending era of blessing, stability, and divine favor, signifying a complete and lasting restoration that is beyond any earthly decline or recession, a theme also found in [Isaiah 54:10](/isaiah/54-10 "Isaiah 54:10 - God's Steadfast Love").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **light (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** H216, derived from אוֹר, this word signifies illumination in its broadest sense, encompassing literal light, brightness, and figuratively, happiness or prosperity. When the LORD is described as "thine everlasting light," it conveys not merely physical illumination but the source of all joy, truth, guidance, and well-being, a divine radiance that dispels all forms of darkness—spiritual, emotional, or physical.
* **everlasting (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** H5769, from עָלַם, meaning "concealed" or "the vanishing point," this term denotes time out of mind, past or future, practically eternity. Its use here emphasizes the perpetual, unending nature of God's light and presence. It is not a temporary blessing but an eternal reality, implying a state of permanence and stability that transcends the temporal limitations of the created order.
* **ended (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** H7999, a primitive root meaning "to be safe," "completed," or "made perfect." It implies a state of wholeness, peace, and completion. When the days of mourning are "ended" by the LORD, it means they are not merely paused or alleviated, but brought to a definitive, complete, and perfect conclusion, replaced by a state of shalom—peace and well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself:"** This opening clause uses vivid celestial imagery to describe a radical shift in the natural order. The sun and moon, which govern the cycles of day and night, are presented as no longer subject to their usual course. This is a metaphorical way of saying that the periods of darkness, both literal and figurative (representing adversity, sorrow, or divine hiddenness), will cease entirely. The "going down" of the sun and "withdrawing" of the moon symbolize the end of any interruption to God's favor or presence, implying an unending day of blessing.
* **"for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light,"** This clause provides the reason and the ultimate source for the cessation of the sun and moon's natural cycles. The "LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel) Himself becomes the direct, permanent, and sufficient source of light for His people. This is not merely a metaphor for spiritual illumination but a declaration of His constant, unveiled presence, which is so glorious and pervasive that it renders natural light sources redundant. This "everlasting light" signifies unending joy, truth, guidance, and the complete absence of any spiritual or physical darkness.
* **"and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."** This final clause articulates the profound consequence of God being the everlasting light. The "days of thy mourning," referring to periods of grief, sorrow, suffering, and lamentation, will be brought to a complete and definitive end. The Hebrew word for "ended" (shâlam) implies not just a cessation but a completion or fulfillment, suggesting that mourning will be replaced by a state of perfect peace and wholeness. This promises an era of unadulterated joy and comfort, where sorrow has no place.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 60:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** is central, as the sun and moon are used metaphorically to represent the cycles of prosperity and adversity, light and darkness, that characterize earthly existence. Their perpetual presence, or rather, their replacement, signifies an eternal state of divine favor. This is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, where the literal cessation of the sun and moon's cycles emphasizes the extraordinary and supernatural nature of God's promised intervention. The statement that the Lord Himself will be the "everlasting light" is also a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying God as the ultimate source of all illumination, joy, and truth. **Parallelism** is evident in the opening phrases, "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself," where two similar clauses are used to reinforce the idea of unending light. Additionally, there is a subtle element of **Personification** as the moon is described as "withdrawing itself," attributing a human-like action to a celestial body, further enhancing the vividness of the imagery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 60:20 is a cornerstone prophecy, weaving together themes of divine presence, eschatological hope, and ultimate redemption. It reveals God's ultimate intention to dwell fully and perpetually with His people, transforming their reality from one of cyclical sorrow and temporary light to one of unending joy and eternal divine illumination. This vision transcends earthly restoration, pointing to a new creation where the very nature of existence is transformed by God's glory. The promise of an "everlasting light" speaks to God's unchangeable character as the source of all truth, life, and comfort, ensuring that His people will never again experience the darkness of His absence or the pain of separation. The cessation of mourning underscores the comprehensive nature of this salvation, addressing not only external circumstances but also the deepest human experiences of grief and loss.

* [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb as the City's Light")
* [Psalm 36:9](/psalm/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - Fountain of Life and Light")
* [Zechariah 14:7](/zechariah/14-7 "Zechariah 14:7 - A Day of Continual Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 60:20 offers profound comfort and an anchor of hope for believers navigating the transient and often sorrowful realities of this world. It reminds us that our present sufferings, no matter how deep or prolonged, are not our ultimate destiny. God's promise is to be our perpetual light, dispelling all shadows of fear, confusion, and despair. In moments of spiritual darkness or personal grief, this verse calls us to fix our gaze on the Lord, who is the unfailing source of all light and joy. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that a day is coming when all tears will be wiped away, and our mourning will be definitively ended by His glorious presence. This hope empowers us to endure present trials with resilience, confident in God's faithfulness to complete His redemptive work and usher us into an unending era of perfect peace and joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of the Lord as "everlasting light" transform your understanding of God's presence in your daily life, especially during challenging times?**
* **What specific "mourning" or sorrow in your life are you trusting God to ultimately bring to an end, based on the hope of this verse?**
* **In what ways does the vision of an unending day, free from the cycles of darkness, impact your perspective on the future and your current walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean the literal sun and moon will cease to exist in the new heavens and new earth?**

Answer: While the verse uses imagery of the sun and moon no longer setting or withdrawing, the primary interpretation is metaphorical and theological rather than strictly literal. It signifies that the *need* for natural light sources will be superseded by the direct, unmediated, and constant glory of God Himself. In the New Testament, [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb as the City's Light") explicitly states that in the New Jerusalem, "the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." This confirms that God's own radiant presence will be so overwhelming and complete that the cyclical nature of earthly light and darkness will be irrelevant, bringing an end to all periods of spiritual or physical obscurity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 60:20 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the "everlasting light" promised here, for as [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Christ has inaugurated the era where God's light shines definitively upon humanity. The "days of thy mourning shall be ended" through His atoning work on the cross, which conquered sin and death, the ultimate sources of human sorrow. His resurrection is the dawn of the eternal day, guaranteeing that those who are in Him will share in His victory over suffering and death, as promised in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Victory over Death"). Furthermore, the vision of an unending day points directly to the New Jerusalem, where Christ, the Lamb, is the lamp, and God's glory is the light (as seen in [Revelation 21:23-24](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb as the City's Light")). In Him, the cycles of darkness and sorrow are eternally broken, and believers are brought into a perpetual state of joy and peace in the unceasing presence of God.

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

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Psalms 84:11

For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Psalms 27:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Isaiah 30:19

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.