¶ 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.

Surely the isles {H339} shall wait {H6960} for me, and the ships {H591} of Tarshish {H8659} first {H7223}, to bring {H935} thy sons {H1121} from far {H7350}, their silver {H3701} and their gold {H2091} with them, unto the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and to the Holy One {H6918} of Israel {H3478}, because he hath glorified {H6286} thee.

The coastlands are putting their hope in me, with the 'Tarshish' ships in the lead, to bring your children from far away, and with them their silver and gold, for the sake of ADONAI your God, the Holy One of Isra'el, who glorifies you.

Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.

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, for the name of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 60:9 is a powerful prophetic verse that paints a vivid picture of future restoration and glory for Zion (often representing Jerusalem and God's people). It foretells a time when distant nations will actively participate in bringing God's scattered people back, along with their wealth, all for the glory of the LORD.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah Chapter 60, a magnificent prophecy often referred to as "The Glory of Zion." Following the call in Isaiah 60:1 for Jerusalem to "Arise, shine; for thy light is come," the chapter describes an unprecedented influx of people and wealth from Gentile nations converging on Zion. Verse 9 specifically details the means by which these resources and people will arrive, emphasizing the role of maritime nations and their ships.

Key Themes

  • The Gathering of God's People: The phrase "to bring thy sons from far" underscores God's commitment to regather His scattered people, whether from literal exile or spiritual dispersion. This echoes other prophecies of restoration, such as in Isaiah 43:6.
  • Gentile Participation and Resources: "The isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first" highlights the role of distant Gentile nations. "The isles" (Hebrew: 'iyyim) typically refers to coastlands or far-off lands, symbolizing the remotest parts of the world. The "ships of Tarshish" were large merchant vessels associated with long-distance trade and great wealth (compare Psalm 72:10). This signifies that even the most powerful and wealthy nations will dedicate their resources—"their silver and their gold"—to this divine purpose.
  • Divine Glorification: The ultimate reason for this grand procession is stated clearly: "because he hath glorified thee." God Himself is the one who has elevated Zion, making her a beacon that draws all peoples and resources, ultimately for His own name's sake. This glorification is a fulfillment of God's promise to make Zion a praise in the earth.
  • Worship and Honor: The purpose of this gathering and the bringing of gifts is "unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel." It's not merely a physical return or an economic transaction, but an act of worship and homage to the God of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The term "isles" (Hebrew: אִיִּים, 'iyyim) is a significant prophetic term often referring to distant Gentile nations, particularly those accessible by sea. "Ships of Tarshish" represents the pinnacle of ancient maritime commerce, indicating that the most substantial and far-reaching resources will be consecrated to God's purpose. This emphasizes the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

Isaiah 60:9 offers profound encouragement and a glimpse into God's sovereign plan. It reminds us that:

  • God is faithful to His promises of restoration for His people, no matter how scattered or distant they may seem.
  • God's redemptive work is expansive, drawing in people and resources from all corners of the earth, demonstrating His universal dominion.
  • All blessings and resources, whether material or spiritual, are ultimately meant to be used "unto the name of the LORD thy God," bringing Him glory and honor.
  • This vision provides hope for a future where God's glory is fully revealed and acknowledged by all nations, fulfilling the promise of Habakkuk 2:14.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Isaiah 55:5

    Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
  • Isaiah 2:16

    And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
  • Isaiah 51:5

    My righteousness [is] near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
  • Isaiah 11:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
  • Isaiah 49:1

    ¶ Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
  • Galatians 4:26

    But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
  • Isaiah 42:10

    Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

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