TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 60:15–22. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The happy and glorious state of the church is here further foretold, referring principally and ultimately to the Christian church and the spiritual peace of that, but under the type of that little gleam of outward peace which the Jews sometimes enjoyed after their return out of captivity. This is here spoken of,
I.As compared with what it had been.
This made her peace and honour the more pleasant, that her condition had been much otherwise.
1.She had been despised, but now she should be honoured, Isa 60:15, Isa 60:16. Jerusalem had been forsaken and hated, abandoned by her friends, abhorred by her enemies; no man went through that desolate city, but declined it as a rueful spectacle; it was an astonishment and a hissing. But now it shall be made an eternal excellency, being reformed from idolatry and having recovered the tokens of God's favour, and it shall be the joy of good people for many generations. Yet considering how short Jerusalem's excellency was, and how short it came of the vast compass of this promise, we must look for the full accomplishment of it in the perpetual excellencies of the gospel church, far exceeding those of the Old Testament church, and the glorious privileges and advantages of the Christian religion, which are indeed the joy of many generations. Two things are here spoken of as her excellency and joy, in opposition to her having been forsaken and hated: - (1.) She shall find herself countenanced by her neighbours. The nations, and their kings, that are brought to embrace Christianity, shall lay themselves out for the good of the church, and maintain its interests with the tenderness and affection that the nurse shows to the child at her breasts (Isa 60:16): "Thou shalt suck the milk of the Gentiles, not suck their blood (that is not the spirit of the gospel); thou shalt suck the breast of kings, who shall be to thee as nursing fathers." (2.) She shall find herself countenanced by her God: "Thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, shalt know it by experience; for such a salvation, such a redemption, shall be wrought out for thee as plainly discovers itself to be the work of the Lord, the work of a mighty one, for it is a great salvation, of the Mighty One of Jacob, for it secures the welfare of all those that are Israelites indeed." They before knew the Lord to be their God; now they know him to be their Saviour, their Redeemer. Their Holy One now appears their Mighty One.
2.She had been impoverished, but now she shall be enriched, and every thing shall be changed for the better with her, Isa 60:17. When those who were raised out of the dust are set among princes, instead of brass money in their purses they have bold, and instead of iron vessels in their houses they have silver ones, and other improvements agreeable: so much shall the spiritual glory of the New Testament church exceed the external pomp and splendour of the Jewish economy, which had no glory in comparison with that which quite excels it, Co2 3:10. When we had baptism in the room of circumcision, the Lord's supper in the room of the passover, and a gospel ministry in the room of a Levitical priesthood, we had gold instead of brass. Sin turned gold into brass when Rehoboam made brazen shields instead of the golden ones he had pawned; but God's favour, when that returns, will turn brass again into gold.
3.She had been oppressed by her own princes, which was sadly complained of, not only as her sin, but as her misery (Isa 59:14); but now all the grievances of that kind shall be redressed (Isa 60:17): "I will make thy officers peace; men of peace shall be made officers, and shall be indeed justices, not patrons of injustice, and justices of peace, not instruments of trouble and vexation. They shall be peace, that is, they shall sincerely seek thy welfare and by their means thou shalt enjoy good." They shall be peace, for they shall be righteousness; and then the peace is as a river, when the righteousness is as the waves of the sea. Even exactors, whose business it is to demand the public tribute, though they be exact, must not be exacting, but must be just to the subject as well as to the prince, and, according to the instructions John Baptist gave to the publicans must exact no more than is appointed them, Luk 3:13.
4.She had been insulted by her neighbours, invaded, spoiled, and plundered; but now it shall be so no more (Isa 60:18): "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land; neither the threats and triumphs of those that do violence nor the outcries and complaints of those that suffer violence shall again be heard, but every man shall peaceably enjoy his own. There shall be no wasting nor destruction, either of persons of possessions, any where within thy borders; but thy walls shall be called salvation (they shall be safe, and means of safety to thee) and thy gates shall be praise, praise to thee (every one shall commend thee for the good condition they are kept in), and praise to thy God, who strengthens the bars of thy gates," Psa 147:13. When God's salvation is upon the walls it is fit that his praises should be in the gates, the places of concourse.
II.As completed in what it shall be.
It should seem that in the close of this chapter we are directed to look further yet, as far forward as to the glory and happiness of heaven, under the type and figure of the flourishing state of the church on earth, which yet was never such as to come any thing near to what is here foretold; and several of the images and expressions here made use of we find in the description of the new Jerusalem, Rev 21:23; Rev 22:5. As the prophets sometimes insensibly pass from the blessings of the Jewish church to the spiritual blessings of the Christian church, which are eternal, so sometimes they rise from the church militant to the church triumphant, where, and where only, all the promised peace, and joy, and honour will be in perfection.
1.God shall be all in all in the happiness here promised; so he is always to true believers (Isa 60:19): The sun and the moon shall be no more thy light. God's people, when they enjoy his favour, and walk in the light of his countenance, make little account of sun and moon, and the other lights of this world, but could walk comfortably in the light of the Lord though they should withdraw their shining. In heaven there shall be no occasion for sun or moon, for it is the inheritance of the saints in light, such light as will swallow up the light of the sun as easily as the sun does that of a candle. "Idolaters worshipped the sun and moon (which some have thought the most ancient and plausible idolatry); but these shall be no more thy light, shall no more be idolized, but the Lord shall be to thee a constant light, both day and night, in the night of adversity as well as in the day of prosperity." Those that make God their only light shall have him their all-sufficient light, their sun and shield. Thy God shall be thy glory. Note, God is the glory of those whose God he is and will be so to eternity. It is their glory that they have him for their God, and they glory in it; it is to them instead of beauty. God's people are, upon this account, an honourable people, that they have an interest in God as their sin covenant.
2.The happiness here promised shall know no change, period, or allay (Isa 60:20): "Thy sun shall no more go down, but it shall be eternal day, eternal sunshine, with thee; that shall not be thy sun which is sometimes eclipsed, often clouded, and, though it shine ever so bright, ever so warm, will certainly set and leave thee in the dark, in the cold, in a few hours; but he shall be a sun, a fountain of light to thee, who is himself the Father of all lights, with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning," Jam 1:17. We read of the sun's standing still once, and not hasting to go down for the space of a day, and it was a glorious day, never was the like; but what was that to the day that shall never have a night? Or, if it had, it should be a light night; for neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; it shall never wane, shall never change, but be always at the full. The comforts and joys that are in heaven, the glories provided for the soul, as the light of the sun, and those prepared for the glorified body too, as the light of the moon, shall never know the least cessation or interruption; how should they when the Lord shall himself be thy everlasting light - a light which never wastes nor can ever be extinguished? And the days of thy mourning shall be ended, so as never to return; for all tears shall be wiped away, and the fountains of them, sin and affliction, dried up, so that sorrow and sighing shall flee away for ever.
3.Those that are entitled to this happiness, being duly prepared and qualified for it, shall never be put out of the possession of it (Isa 60:21): Thy people, that shall inhabit this New Jerusalem, shall all be righteous, all justified by the righteousness of the Messiah, all sanctified by his Spirit; all that people, that Jerusalem, must be righteous, must have that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. They are all righteous, for we know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are no people on earth that are all righteous; there is a mixture of some bad in the best societies on this side heaven; but there are no mixtures there. They shall be all righteous, that is, they shall be entirely righteous; as there shall be none corrupt among them, so there shall be no corruption in them; the spirits of just men shall there be made perfect. And they shall be all the righteous together who shall replenish the New Jerusalem; it is called the congregation of the righteous, Psa 1:5. And, because they are all righteous, therefore they shall inherit the land for ever, for nothing but sin can turn them out of it. The perfection of the saints' holiness secures the perpetuity of their happiness.
4.The glory of the church shall redound to the honour of the church's God: "They shall appear to be the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, and I will own them as such." It was by the grace of God that they were designed to this happiness; they are the branch of his planting, or of his plantations; he broke them off from the wild olive and grafted them into the good olive, transplanted them out of the field, when they were as tender branches, into his nursery, that, being now planted in his garden on earth, they might shortly be removed to his paradise in heaven. It was by his grace likewise that they were prepared and fitted for this happiness; they are the work of his hands (Eph 2:10), are wrought to the self-same thing, Co2 5:5. It is a work of time, and, when it shall be finished, will appear a work of wonder; and God will be glorified, who began it, and carried it on; for the Lord Jesus will then be admired in all those that believe. God will glorify himself in glorifying his chosen.
5.They will appear the more glorious, and God will be the more glorified in them, if we compare what they are with what they were, the happiness they have arrived at with the smallness of their beginnings (Isa 60:22): "A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation." The captives that returned out of Babylon strangely multiplied, and became a strong nation. The Christian church was a little one, a very small one at first - the number of their names was once but 120; yet it became a thousand. The stone cut out of the mountain without hands swelled so as to fill the earth. The triumphant church, and every glorified saint, will be a thousand out of a little one, a strong nation out of a small one. The grace and peace of the saints were at first like a grain of mustard-seed, but they increase and multiply, and make a little one to become a thousand, the weak to be as David. When they come to heaven, and look back upon the smallness of their beginning, they will wonder how they got thither. And so wonderful is all this promise that it needed the ratification with which it is closed: I the Lord will hasten it in his time - all that is here said relating to the Jewish and Christian church, to the militant and triumphant church, and to every particular believer.
(1.)It may seem too difficult to be brought about, and therefore may be despaired of; but the God of almighty power has undertaken it: "I the Lord will do it, who can do it, and who have determined to do it." It will be done by him whose power is irresistible and his purposes unalterable.
(2.)It may seem to be delayed and put off so long that we are out of hopes of it; but, as the Lord will do it, so he will hasten it, will do it with all convenient speed; though much time may pass before it is done, no time shall be lost; he will hasten it in its time, in the proper time, in the season wherein it will be beautiful; he will do it in the time appointed by his wisdom, though not in the time prescribed by our folly. And this is really hastening it; for, though it seem to tarry, it does not tarry if it come in God's time, for we are sure that that is the best time, which he that believes will patiently wait for.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Vers. 21, 22.) But your people, all the righteous, will inherit the land forever, the offspring of my planting: the work of my hands for glorification. The least will become a thousand, and the smallest will become a mighty nation. I, the Lord, will do this suddenly in its time. LXX: Your people, all the righteous, will always possess the land: preserving the plantation, the works of their hands for glory. The one who is small will become a thousand, and the least will become a great nation. I, the Lord, will gather them in due time. After the days of mourning and completion, when sadness turns into joy, the people of Zion will be completely righteous, not for a short time, but forever. And because they are righteous, they will possess the gentle land. It is not surprising if the land of the meek and the living holds the good things of the promise, which the Prophet yearns for, saying: I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living (Ps. 26:13), since it is the offspring of the Lord's planting and the work of His hands to glorify God. For every plant, my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. (Matt. 15). According to the Septuagint, the people who keep God's plantation and the works of the Lord will be saved in the glory of the Creator. God speaks about a good plantation through Jeremiah: I planted you a good and true vine, which is called the vine of Sorec in Isaiah. (Isa. 5). And because Paul, with the consciousness of Christ speaking in him, could say: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1), therefore he spoke to the Corinthians: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (1 Cor. 3:6). For they who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God (Psalm 92). Then the one who was small shall become a thousand, and the least shall become a mighty nation, hearing from the Lord: You shall have authority over five or ten cities (Luke 19:17, 19); so that he shall be called a chiliarch. And he who, along with the Apostle, said: To me, the least of all the saints, this grace was given (Ephesians 3:8), shall be a prince of a great nation in the heavens, when the Lord sends his angels at the appointed time, and they gather together to him all the saints, from the highest heaven to the highest of it (Matthew 24): not only from Israel, but also from the people of the Gentiles, whom he was signifying when he said: And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, and it is necessary for me to gather them, so that there shall be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16). But this will happen suddenly, so that when all things are desperate, then they will gather into the strongest nation. Although we see this being fulfilled in part in the Church every day, it will be more fully completed in the consummation of the world and in the second coming of the Savior.
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Summary
Isaiah 60:22 stands as a powerful climax within a chapter ablaze with prophecies of Zion's glorious restoration, proclaiming a profound promise of supernaturally accelerated growth and fulfillment. It declares that what begins as humble or seemingly insignificant will be divinely multiplied and transformed into something vast and mighty, all brought to pass by the sovereign and timely intervention of the LORD Himself. This verse encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, guaranteeing a glorious and rapid expansion for His people, demonstrating His power to transcend human limitations.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 60-62 forms a pivotal section within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), specifically focusing on the future glory and restoration of Jerusalem/Zion after the devastation of the Babylonian exile. Chapter 60 itself opens with a majestic call for Zion to "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1). The preceding verses vividly depict a future where nations and their kings stream to Jerusalem, bringing their wealth and peoples, and where the city's gates remain open continually to receive them. This section details a profound reversal of fortune, where former oppressors serve Zion, and God's people experience unprecedented peace, prosperity, and divine favor. Verse 22 functions as the triumphant capstone to this vision, emphasizing the miraculous scale and divine agency behind this promised transformation, setting the stage for the prophet's personal anointing and mission in Isaiah 61:1.
Historical & Cultural Context
The prophecies found in Isaiah 40-66 were primarily directed towards the Jewish exiles enduring captivity in Babylon and those who would eventually return to a desolate Jerusalem. This audience faced immense discouragement, a drastically diminished population, and a pervasive sense of abandonment by God. Their once-glorious city lay in ruins, and their national identity was severely threatened by their subjugation. In this context of despair, promises of restoration, numerical increase, and national strength were not merely comforting but absolutely vital for rekindling hope and fostering perseverance. The concept of a "nation" (gôwy) was intrinsically linked to their unique identity as God's chosen people, distinct from the surrounding pagan empires. The idea of God "hastening" events would have deeply resonated with a people yearning for the swift fulfillment of divine promises, yet also familiar with God's perfect timing as evidenced throughout their long history of covenant interactions.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Foremost is the theme of Divine Restoration and Transformation, where God takes a scattered and seemingly insignificant remnant and rebuilds them into a glorious and influential entity. It profoundly underscores God's Sovereignty over History and Time, asserting that He is not constrained by human limitations or conventional timelines but will bring His purposes to pass with decisive and timely action "in his time." The dramatic promise of exponential growth from "a little one" to "a thousand" and "a small one" to "a strong nation" highlights the theme of Supernatural Multiplication, demonstrating God's boundless ability to achieve vast outcomes from humble beginnings, a concept echoed in Zechariah 4:10. Finally, it powerfully reinforces the theme of God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises, assuring His people that His word will not return void but will infallibly accomplish its intended purpose, as majestically declared in Isaiah 55:11.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Translated as "little one," this word signifies something "abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)." In this context, it powerfully emphasizes the humble, perhaps even seemingly insignificant, starting point of the people or their resources. It highlights the vast disparity between their current diminished state and their future glory, thereby underscoring the truly miraculous nature of God's promised intervention.
This term, translated "nation," primarily refers to "a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile." It can also figuratively denote "a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts." While often used for non-Israelite peoples, its application here to Israel's future signifies their transformation from a scattered and subjugated remnant into a unified, powerful, and recognized national entity, akin to the great nations of the world, but uniquely under God's dominion and for His glory.
This primitive root means "to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment; (make) haste(-n), ready." When the LORD declares, "I... will hasten it," it does not imply a panicked rush or a need to catch up to a schedule. Rather, it conveys divine intentionality, decisive action, and sovereign speed. At His appointed time, God will act with such swiftness and power that the fulfillment of His promise will appear to be accelerated beyond natural expectation, demonstrating His absolute control over time itself.
Verse Breakdown
"A little one shall become a thousand,"
This clause presents a radical and miraculous transformation from numerical insignificance to an immense multitude. "A little one" (qâṭân) speaks to the small, perhaps disheartened, remnant of Israel, or even an individual. The promise is not merely of gradual growth but of exponential, almost unimaginable, multiplication, where a single unit or a small group expands to "a thousand" (ʼeleph), symbolizing vast numbers, influence, and impact.
"and a small one a strong nation:"
This parallel clause powerfully reinforces the theme of miraculous increase, extending it beyond mere numbers to encompass national power and identity. "A small one" (tsâʻîyr), similar to "little one," emphasizes the humble, perhaps despised, origin. This small group is destined to become a "strong" (ʻâtsûwm), meaning powerful, mighty, or numerous, "nation" (gôwy). This signifies not only demographic growth but also the acquisition of spiritual, political, and perhaps even military strength, establishing them as a significant and respected entity on the world stage.
"I the LORD will hasten it in his time."
This concluding declaration serves as the theological anchor of the entire verse, attributing the miraculous transformation entirely to God's sovereign will and decisive action. "I the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) emphasizes the covenant-keeping, self-existent God as the active and primary agent. The promise to "hasten" (chûwsh) it assures that this grand vision will not be endlessly delayed but will be brought to pass with divine speed and decisiveness, precisely "in his time" (ʻêth) – God's perfect, appointed moment, not according to human impatience or expectation.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 60:22 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of hope, divine power, and assured fulfillment. Hyperbole is strikingly evident in the dramatic numerical increase from "a little one" to "a thousand" and "a small one" to "a strong nation." This intentional exaggeration emphasizes the supernatural scale of the promised growth, far exceeding any natural human capability, thereby highlighting God's boundless power and ability to accomplish the impossible. Parallelism is also central to the verse's structure, with the two initial clauses ("A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation") mirroring each other in their grammatical form and reinforcing the core message of exponential increase and transformation. This creates a rhythmic, memorable, and emphatic declaration. Furthermore, the verse culminates in an emphatic Divine Fiat or Divine Promise, where God Himself declares His direct involvement and sovereign control over both the timing and the execution of this prophecy ("I the LORD will hasten it in his time"). This direct, first-person declaration by YHWH provides ultimate assurance and underscores the absolute certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 60:22 is a profound testament to God's transformative power and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. It offers deep reassurance that even from the most humble, desolate, or seemingly insignificant beginnings, God can bring forth immense glory, strength, and influence. This promise extends beyond ancient Israel, illustrating a universal principle of divine multiplication where God's purposes, though starting small, will inevitably expand to encompass vast numbers and exert profound influence. It speaks powerfully to the eschatological hope of God's kingdom, which begins as a tiny mustard seed but grows into a great tree, accommodating all. The emphasis on God's "hastening" in "his time" underscores His absolute sovereignty over all history, assuring believers that His plans are never delayed or frustrated, but unfold according to His perfect wisdom and timing, often with a divinely appointed acceleration.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 60:22 offers profound encouragement for individuals and communities of faith today, reminding us that God is not limited by our current circumstances, perceived insignificance, or lack of resources. It challenges us to embrace humble beginnings and seemingly small efforts in our endeavors for God's kingdom, knowing that He delights in taking what is little and multiplying it exponentially for His glory. This verse calls for a deep, abiding trust in God's perfect timing, urging patience and perseverance even when the fulfillment of promises seems distant or slow. It powerfully counters the human tendency towards impatience, anxiety, and the desire for immediate gratification, assuring us that God's "hastening" is not a rushed or panicked response but a divinely orchestrated acceleration at the opportune moment. Ultimately, it strengthens our faith in God's unwavering faithfulness, empowering us to participate in His redemptive work with confidence, knowing that what He has promised, He will surely bring to pass with power, precision, and perfect timing.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "hasten" in this verse mean God is rushing or behind schedule?
No, the Hebrew word for "hasten" (chûwsh) does not imply that God is rushing or that His divine plans are somehow behind schedule. Instead, it signifies that at His appointed, perfect time, God will act with decisive speed, power, and efficiency to bring about the full and glorious fulfillment of His promises. It speaks to the certainty and swiftness of His action when His opportune moment arrives, ensuring that nothing will hinder or delay the realization of His grand vision. It is a declaration of divine efficiency and sovereignty, not a sign of divine panic or a need to catch up. This concept aligns perfectly with other scriptures that speak of God's perfect timing and purposeful unfolding of events, such as Ecclesiastes 3:1.
How does this prophecy of a "strong nation" apply to believers today, given that the church is not a political nation?
While the immediate context of Isaiah 60:22 speaks to the literal restoration and numerical increase of Israel as a physical nation, its spiritual principles extend powerfully and prophetically to the New Testament church. The imagery of "a little one" becoming "a thousand" and "a small one" becoming "a strong nation" can be understood metaphorically as the miraculous growth and expansion of God's spiritual kingdom. The early church, for instance, began as a small, seemingly insignificant group of disciples in Jerusalem. Yet, through the explosive power of the Holy Spirit, it grew exponentially into a global movement, a spiritual "holy nation" and "peculiar people" (1 Peter 2:9) composed of believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This verse assures us that God continues to multiply His spiritual family, empowering His people to be a strong, influential force for His purposes in the world, even from the most humble and unexpected origins.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Isaiah 60:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the establishment and expansion of His eternal kingdom. The "little one" that becomes "a thousand" and "a strong nation" points beyond a mere physical restoration of Israel to the spiritual and global expansion of God's people through Christ. Jesus began His earthly ministry with a small, humble band of twelve disciples, seemingly insignificant in the vast Roman Empire and the established religious systems. Yet, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, He laid the indestructible foundation for a spiritual "nation" composed of countless believers from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). The divine promise, "I the LORD will hasten it in his time," perfectly describes the miraculous, divinely orchestrated acceleration seen in the rapid spread of the gospel after Pentecost, where thousands were added to the church in a single day (Acts 2:41). Christ's kingdom, though inaugurated humbly like a mustard seed, is destined to grow and fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:35), demonstrating God's sovereign power to bring forth vast spiritual fruit and a multitude that no one can number (Revelation 7:9) from the seemingly small and despised beginnings of the cross and the humble origins of His church.