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Commentary on Isaiah 60 verses 1–8
It is here promised that the gospel temple shall be very lightsome and very large.
I. It shall be very lightsome: Thy light has come. When the Jews returned out of captivity they had light and gladness, and joy and honour; they then were made to know the Lord and to rejoice in his great goodness; and upon both accounts their light came. When the Redeemer came to Zion he brought light with him, he himself came to be a light. Now observe, 1. What this light is, and whence it springs: The Lord shall arise upon thee (Isa 60:2), the glory of the Lord (Isa 60:1) shall be seen upon thee. God is the father and fountain of lights, and it is in his light that we shall see light. As far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. When God appears to us, and we have the comfort of his favour, then the glory of the Lord rises upon us as the morning light; when he appears for us, and we have the credit of his favour, when he shows us some token for good and proclaims his favour to us, then his glory is seen upon us, as it was upon Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire. When Christ arose as the sun of righteousness, and in him the day-spring from on high visited us, then the glory of the Lord was seen upon us, the glory as of the first-begotten of the Father. 2. What a foil there shall be to this light: Darkness shall cover the earth; but, though it be gross darkness, darkness that might be felt, like that of Egypt, that shall overspread the people, yet the church, like Goshen, shall have light at the same time. When the case of the nations that have not the gospel shall be very melancholy, those dark corners of the earth being full of the habitations of cruelty to poor souls, the state of the church shall be very pleasant. 3. What is the duty which the rising of this light calls for: "Arise, shine; not only receive this light, and" (as the margin reads it) "be enlightened by it, but reflect this light; arise and shine with rays borrowed from it." The children of light ought to shine as lights in the world. If God's glory be seen upon us to our honour, we ought not only with our lips, but in our lives, to return the praise of it to his honour, Mat 5:16; Phi 2:15.
II. It shall be very large. When the Jews were settled again in their own land, after their captivity, many of the people of the land joined themselves to them; but it does not appear that there ever was any such numerous accession to them as would answer the fulness of this prophecy; and therefore we must conclude that this looks further, to the bringing of the Gentiles into the gospel church, not their flocking to one particular place, though under that type it is here described. There is no place now that is the centre of the church's unity; but the promise respects their flocking to Christ, and coming by faith, and hope, and holy love, into that society which is incorporated by the charter of his gospel, and of the unity of which he only is the centre - that family which is named from him, Eph 3:15. The gospel church is expressly called Zion and Jerusalem, and under that notion all believers are said to come to it (Heb 12:22. You have come unto Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem), which serves for a key to this prophecy, Eph 2:19. Observe,
1.What shall invite such multitudes to the church: "They shall come to thy light and to the brightness of thy rising, Isa 60:3. They shall be allured to join themselves to thee," (1.) "By the light that shines upon thee," the light of the glorious gospel, which the churches hold forth, in consequence of which they are called golden candlesticks. This light which discovers so much of God and his good will to man, by which life and immortality are brought to light, this shall invite all the serious well-affected part of mankind to come and join themselves to the church, that they may have the benefit of this light to inform them concerning truth and duty. (2.) "By the light with which thou shinest." The purity and love of the primitive Christians, their heavenly-mindedness, contempt of the world, and patient sufferings, were the brightness of the church's rising, which drew many into it. The beauty of holiness was the powerful attractive by which Christ had a willing people brought to him in the day of his power, Psa 110:3.
2.What multitudes shall come to the church. Great numbers shall come, Gentiles (or nations) of those that are saved, as it is expressed with allusion to this, Rev 21:24. Nations shall be discipled (Mat 28:19), and even kings, men of figure, power, and influence, shall be added to the church. They come from all parts (Isa 60:4): Lift up thy eyes round about, and see them coming, devout men out of every nation under heaven, Act 2:5. See how white the fields are already to the harvest, Joh 4:35. See them coming in a body, as one man, and with one consent: They gather themselves together, that they may strengthen one another's hands, and encourage one another. Come, and let us go, Isa 2:3. "They come from the remotest parts: They come to thee from far, having heard the report of thee, as the queen of Sheba, or seen thy star in the east, as the wise men, and they will not be discouraged by the length of the journey from coming to thee. There shall come some of both sexes. Sons and daughters shall come in the most dutiful manner, as thy sons and thy daughters, resolved to be of thy family, to submit to the laws of thy family and put themselves under the tuition of it. They shall come to be nursed at thy side, to have their education with thee from their cradle." The church's children must be nursed at her side, not sent out to be nursed among strangers; there, where alone the unadulterated milk of the word is to be had, must the church's new-born babes be nursed, that they may grow thereby, Pe1 2:1, Pe1 2:2. Those that would enjoy the dignities and privileges of Christ's family must submit to the discipline of it.
3.What they shall bring with them and what advantage shall accrue to the church by their accession to it. Those that are brought into the church by the grace of God will be sure to bring all they are worth in with them, which with themselves they will devote to the honour and service of God and do good with in their places. (1.) The merchants shall write holiness to the Lord upon their merchandise and their hire, as Isa 23:18. "The abundance of the sea, either the wealth that is fetched out of the sea (the fish, the pearls) or that which is imported by sea, shall all be converted to thee and to thy use." The wealth of the rich merchants shall be laid out in works of piety and charity. (2.) The mighty men of the nations shall employ their might in the service of the church: "The forces, or troops, of the Gentiles shall come unto thee, to guard thy coasts, strengthen thy interests, and, if occasion be, to fight thy battles." The forces of the Gentiles had often been against the church, but now they shall be for it; for as God, when he pleases, can, and, when we please him, will, make even our enemies to be at peace with us (Pro 16:7), so, when Christ overcomes the strong man armed, he divides his spoils, and makes that to serve his interests which had been used against them, Luk 11:22. (3.) The wealth imported by land-carriage, as well as that by sea, shall be made use of in the service of God and the church (Isa 60:6): The camels and dromedaries that bring gold and incense (gold to make the golden altar of and incense and sweet perfumes to burn upon it), those of Midian and Sheba, shall bring the richest commodities of their country, not to trade with, but to honour God with, and not in small quantities, but camel-loads of them. This was in part fulfilled when the wise men of the east (perhaps some of the countries here mentioned), drawn by the brightness of the star, came to Christ, and presented to him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Mat 2:11. (4.) Great numbers of sacrifices shall be brought to God's altar, acceptable sacrifices, and, though brought by Gentiles, they shall find acceptance, Isa 60:7. Kedar was famous for flocks, and probably the fattest rams were those of Nebaioth; these shall come up with acceptance on God's altar. God must be served and honoured with what we have, according as he has blessed us, and with the best we have. This was fulfilled when by the decree of Darius the governors beyond the rivers (perhaps of some of these countries) were ordered to furnish the temple at Jerusalem with bullocks, rams, and lambs, for the burnt-offering of the God of heaven, Ezr 6:9. It had a further accomplishment, and we trust will have, in the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles to the church, which is called the sacrificing or offering up of the Gentiles unto God, Rom 15:16. The flocks and rams are precious souls; for they are said to minister to the church, and to come up as living sacrifices, presenting themselves to God by a reasonable service on his altar, Rom 12:1.
4.How God shall be honoured by the increase of the church and the accession of such numbers to it. (1.) They shall intend the honour of God's name in it. When they bring their gold and incense it shall not be to show the riches of their country, nor to gain applause to themselves for piety and devotion, but to show forth the praises of the Lord, Isa 60:6. Our greatest services and gifts to the church are not acceptable further than we have an eye to the glory of God in them. And this must be our business in our attendance on public ordinances, to give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; for therefore, as these here, we are called out of darkness into light, that we should show forth the praises of him that called us, Pe1 2:9. (2.) God will advance the honour of his own name by it; so he has said (Isa 60:7): I will glorify the house of my glory. The church is the house of God's glory, where he manifests his glory to his people and receives that homage by which they do honour to him. And it is for the glory of this house, and of him that keeps house there, both that the Gentiles shall bring their offerings to it and that they shall be accepted therein.
5.How the church shall herself be affected with this increase of her numbers, Isa 60:5. (1.) She shall be in a transport of joy upon this account: "Thou shalt see and flow together" (or flow to and fro), "as in a pleasing agitation about it, surprised at it, but extremely glad of it." (2.) There shall be a mixture of fear with this joy: "Thy heart shall fear, doubting whether it be lawful to go in to the uncircumcised and eat with them." Peter was so impressed with this fear that he needed a vision and voice from heaven to help him over it, Act 10:28. But, (3.) "When this fear is conquered thy heart shall be enlarged in holy love, so enlarged that thou shalt have room in it for all the Gentile converts; thou shalt not have such a narrow soul as thou hast had nor affections so confined within the Jewish pale." When God intends the beauty and prosperity of his church he gives this largeness of heart and an extensive charity. (4.) These converts flocking to the church shall be greatly admired (Isa 60:8): Who are these that fly as a cloud? Observe, [1.] How the conversion of souls is here described. It is flying to Christ and to his church, for thither we are directed; it is flying like a cloud, though in great multitudes, so as to overspread the heavens, yet with great unanimity, all as one cloud. They shall come with speed, as a cloud flying on the wings of the wind, and come openly, and in the view of all, their very enemies beholding them (Rev 11:12), and yet not able to hinder them. They shall fly as doves to their windows, in great flights, many together; they fly on the wings of the harmless dove, which flies low, denoting their innocency and humility. They fly to Christ, to the church, to the word and ordinances, as doves, by instinct, to their own windows, to their own home; thither they fly for refuge and shelter when they are pursued by the birds of prey, and thither they fly for rest when they have been wandering and are weary, as Noah's dove to the ark. [2.] How the conversion of souls is here admired. It is spoken of with wonder and pleasure: Who are these? We have reason to wonder that so many flock to Christ: when we see them all together we shall wonder whence they all came. And we have reason to admire with pleasure and affection those that do flock to him: Who are these? How excellent, how amiable are they! What a pleasant sight is it to see poor souls hastening to Christ, with a full resolution to abide with him!
(Verse 6, 7) The flood of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. All those from Sheba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall be offered on my acceptable altar, and I will glorify the house of my majesty. LXX: And the herds of camels shall come to you, the camels of Midian and Ephah shall cover you; all those from Sheba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the salvation of the Lord. All the flocks of Cedar shall be gathered unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The regions of Midian and Ephah are across Arabia, fertile for camels, and the whole province is called Sheba, where the Queen of Sheba was, who came to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and she brought gold and frankincense, bringing many things to the peaceful king, and receiving even greater things from him (3 Kings 10). But the region of the Saracens is called Kedar, who are called Ishmaelites in Scripture. And Nebajoth is one of the sons of Ishmael, from whose names the desert is named, which is lacking in crops but full of cattle. Therefore, through the names of the barbarian peoples who are near Israel, the conversion of the whole world is preached. For Midian, indeed, is interpreted as wickedness in this place. Ephah, loosened, or pouring out. Sheba, conversion, or captivity. Kedar, darkness. Nebaioth, prophecies. Therefore, the flocks of camels, being freed from the bonds of wickedness and pouring out their souls to God, will cover Jerusalem with gifts, and all will come out of captivity, bringing the gold of faith with their conversion, and the incense of sacrifice. And not content with these gifts, they will progress, so that they may preach the salvation of God to others as well. That rich man, who carried the weight of riches like a camel in the Gospel, and a camel he was, did not want to hear the Lord's advice, nor be freed, so that, having thrown off the burden, he could fly to heaven on the wings of a dove; therefore, he went away sad. And about this kind of camel, the Savior speaks: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24). She proposed the difficulty of the thing, not the impossibility. Finally, your mother of sacred memory, Paula, and your brother Pammachius, through the eye of a needle, that is, through a narrow and tight path that leads to life, passed through the stars of heaven, leaving behind the wide road with burdens, which leads to Tartarus. Indeed, they carried whatever they had as gifts of the Lord, fulfilling what is written: The redemption of a man's soul is his own riches (Prov. XIII, 8). For what is impossible among humans is possible for God (Matthew 19). Having as principal gifts gold, in the sense of the best odor, and incense, and saying: Let my prayer be directed like incense in your sight. And: We are the good odor of Christ in every place (2 Corinthians 2, 15); by the example of his virtue, announcing the salvation of the Lord every day, so that all the sheep of Kedar may be gathered in the Church, and may pass from the darkness of error to the light. The rams of the Prophets, about whom it is sung in Psalm 28: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord the sons of rams, let them come and be offered, or according to Theodotion, let them offer themselves as a sacrifice to the Lord, and let them become propitiatory victims, so that the Church of Christ may be glorified. The Savior spoke to his disciples about these kinds of sheep: Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:3). And again: My sheep hear my voice (John 10:3). And in Ezekiel more fully: Behold, I will seek my sheep, and I will visit them: as the shepherd visiteth his flock. Thus saith the Lord God: I will require that which is lost, and bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was weak, and that which was strong I will preserve: and I will feed them in judgment (Ezech. XXXIV, 11, 12). And that we may know what those sheep are, He explains more clearly: And they shall know that I am the Lord their God: and you, O my flocks, the flocks of my pasture, are men: and I am the Lord your God (Ibid., 27, 28). If therefore anyone among the Gentiles is wealthy, let him be saved like a camel, not without gifts and offerings, so that he may preach the word of the Lord. If anyone is like the simplicity of sheep and the authority of rams, let him ascend or be offered on the altar of the Lord by those who are in power, so that his house may be glorified. But what we have noted in Hebrew script: The rams of Nabajoth shall minister to you, and they shall offer on my acceptable altar, is properly understood of those who, chosen from among the Gentiles, are ministers of the Savior. But if someone is contentious and disputes these things in a carnal way, let us respond to him: We do not have such a custom, nor does the Church of God (1 Corinthians 11:16). And let us say that even if these things were promised carnally to the Jews, they were still promised conditionally, so that if they had received their own light, which had been sent to them, then they would also have followed these things. Namely, that through desire for gold and the abundance of wealth and carnal things, by which this nation was always captivated, they would receive the sent Son of God to themselves. But because they did not receive him, everything was taken away and the inheritance was spiritually restored to those who receive it.
The text teaches that irrational beasts share in the light of the knowledge of God. And it is not thoughtless gifts that on the altar are offered, but acceptable ones that are pleasing. He says, “A sacrifice of praise will glorify me” and “Sacrifice an offering of praise to God.”
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SUMMARY
Isaiah 60:7 paints a vibrant prophetic vision of Zion's future splendor, where distant nations, particularly the nomadic tribes of Kedar and Nebaioth, will converge upon Jerusalem. This gathering is not merely a display of material tribute, but a profound act of sincere worship, as their most valuable offerings—rams—are brought to God's altar. The verse foretells a time when these formerly estranged peoples will be accepted into God's redemptive plan, culminating in the magnificent glorification of His dwelling place through their devoted and heartfelt praise.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Isaiah 60:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound prophetic message. Personification is subtly present as the "flocks of Kedar" and "rams of Nebaioth" are described as being "gathered" and "ministering," imbuing the animals with an active role, though they represent the wealth and devotion of their owners. Synecdoche is also at play, where "flocks" and "rams" stand for the entire wealth and, by extension, the people themselves of Kedar and Nebaioth, symbolizing their complete submission and offering to God. The names Kedar and Nebaioth function as Metonymy, representing not just specific tribes but all distant, non-Israelite peoples, particularly from the Arabian desert. The entire verse is a strong example of Prophetic Imagery, painting a vivid and evocative picture of future glory and universal worship that transcends the immediate historical context. The clear Parallelism between the two initial clauses ("All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee") reinforces the comprehensive and reciprocal nature of the Gentile influx and their devoted service. Finally, the phrase "the house of my glory" is a profound example of Divine Ownership and Emphasis, highlighting God's personal connection to and ultimate purpose for His dwelling place, underscoring its sacred and glorious nature.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 60:7 stands as a profound testament to God's expansive redemptive plan, revealing His heart and desire for all humanity to come into His presence. It shatters any notion of an exclusive covenant, demonstrating that God's yearning for worship extends far beyond ethnic Israel to encompass every nation, tribe, and tongue. The acceptance of offerings from Kedar and Nebaioth signifies that genuine devotion, regardless of one's origin, is pleasing and welcomed by God, powerfully foreshadowing the New Covenant where faith in Christ opens the door for all people to approach God. This verse underscores the truth that the true glory for God's dwelling place comes not primarily from material grandeur, but from the sincere, Spirit-empowered worship of a diverse multitude of believers, gathered from every corner of the earth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient prophecy holds immense relevance for believers today, inviting us to embrace a truly global and inclusive vision for God's kingdom. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's boundless love and redemptive purpose are not confined to any single ethnicity, nation, or cultural group, but are graciously extended to all peoples. This profound truth should ignite within us a fervent passion for global missions and evangelism, compelling us to actively share the transformative good news of Christ with those who are still far off, knowing that God delights in drawing people from every background into His family. Furthermore, the emphasis on offerings being "with acceptance on mine altar" challenges us to deeply examine the sincerity and purity of our own worship. Are our offerings—our time, talents, resources, and indeed, our very lives—presented with genuine devotion, a humble heart, and a fervent desire to honor God, or are they merely ritualistic acts performed out of obligation? As we faithfully participate in God's ongoing mission, we actively contribute to the glorification of His spiritual "house"—the Church—which is being built up from diverse "living stones" into a holy dwelling place for His Spirit. This verse ultimately assures us that God's sovereign plan is to manifest His unparalleled glory through a redeemed humanity, gathered from every corner of the earth, worshipping Him in spirit and truth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of Kedar and Nebaioth in this prophecy?
Answer: Kedar and Nebaioth were prominent nomadic Arab tribes, direct descendants of Ishmael, renowned for their vast flocks and their significant presence in the Arabian desert. Their inclusion in Isaiah 60:7 is deeply symbolic. They represent the distant, non-Israelite nations—the Gentiles—who were traditionally considered outside the covenant community of Israel. Their mention signifies the universal scope of God's future kingdom, where peoples from all backgrounds and geographical locations will be drawn to Zion to worship the God of Israel. This powerfully foreshadows the New Testament reality of Gentile inclusion into the church, the spiritual Israel of God Romans 11:25-26.
Does "the house of my glory" refer only to the physical temple in Jerusalem?
Answer: While "the house of my glory" certainly had a literal application to the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, especially in the context of post-exilic prophecies, its ultimate fulfillment extends far beyond a physical structure. In its fullest theological sense, it refers to God's dwelling place where His presence and glory are fully manifested. This can be understood as the spiritual "house" of God, which is the Church—the vibrant community of believers gathered from all nations, built together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit Ephesians 2:19-22. Ultimately, it points to the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, where God's dwelling is explicitly stated to be with humanity, and His glory illuminates it so completely that a physical temple becomes unnecessary Revelation 21:3 and Revelation 21:22-23.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 60:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His universal kingdom. The prophetic image of the "flocks of Kedar" and "rams of Nebaioth" being gathered to God's altar, coming "with acceptance," beautifully prefigures the drawing of all nations to Christ. Jesus, as the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, is the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice that renders all other offerings acceptable to God. Through His atoning work on the cross, the formidable barrier between Jew and Gentile was decisively broken down Ephesians 2:14, allowing all who believe to approach God's altar—now a spiritual reality, not a physical one—with unwavering confidence and full acceptance Hebrews 10:19-22. The "house of my glory" that God promises to glorify is now embodied in the Church, the living body of Christ, which is being built upon the foundational truth of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the indispensable cornerstone Ephesians 2:20. It is through the Spirit-empowered worship and global mission of this diverse, multi-ethnic Church that the glory of God is truly manifested and extended to the uttermost ends of the earth, culminating in the New Jerusalem where the radiant glory of God and the Lamb illuminates all for eternity Revelation 21:23.