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Isaiah 60:1

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¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Arise {H6965}, shine {H215}; for thy light {H216} is come {H935}, and the glory {H3519} of the LORD {H3068} is risen {H2224} upon thee.

"Arise, shine [Yerushalayim], for your light has come, the glory of ADONAI has risen over you.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.

Commentary

Isaiah 60:1 is a powerful prophetic declaration, a beacon of hope and a call to action addressed to Jerusalem, or Zion, personified as a woman.

Context

This verse opens a chapter filled with glorious promises for Jerusalem following a period of immense suffering and desolation, particularly the Babylonian captivity and its aftermath. The prophet Isaiah looks beyond the immediate distress to a future era of divine restoration and splendor. It speaks to a people who have been in darkness, despair, and spiritual dormancy, now being commanded to awaken and reflect the divine light that has broken upon them. The imagery suggests a new dawn after a long night of affliction, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Illumination and Presence: The core message is that God Himself is the source of this light. The phrase "thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" signifies the manifest presence and favor of God. This isn't an internal light generated by Zion, but a radiant glory bestowed upon her by the Almighty.
  • Restoration and Renewal: This verse heralds a period of profound spiritual and physical restoration for Jerusalem. It signifies an end to its shame and a beginning of its exaltation, drawing the attention and resources of the nations.
  • A Call to Action: The commands "Arise, shine" are imperatives. They imply that Zion has been prostrate or obscured and now must rise to embrace and reflect the glory that has dawned. This call extends to all who experience God's saving light to respond actively.
  • Future Glory: While rooted in a historical context, this prophecy also has eschatological implications, pointing to the ultimate glory of God's people in the new creation, where the Lord Himself is the light and lamp of the New Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words are vivid:

  • The command "Arise" (קוּמִי - qumi) is an urgent call to stand up, to awaken from a state of inactivity or despair.
  • "Shine" (אוֹרִי - 'ori) means to give light, to be radiant. It's not about creating light, but about reflecting the light that has come from an external source—God's glory.
  • "Glory" (כָּבוֹד - kavod) denotes weight, honor, splendor, and the manifest presence of God. It's the visible manifestation of His divine essence, similar to the cloud of glory that filled the Tabernacle.

Practical Application

Isaiah 60:1 holds profound relevance for believers today:

  • For the Individual: Just as Zion was called to "Arise, shine," so too are individuals who have received the light of Christ. We are called to emerge from spiritual darkness, sin, or despair, because Jesus declared Himself to be the light of the world. Our lives should then reflect His character and truth to those around us.
  • For the Church: This verse serves as an encouragement and a mandate for the church. In a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness, the church is meant to be a radiant witness to God's presence and power. When the church embraces and lives in the glory of the Lord, it becomes a beacon, drawing others to the saving knowledge of God, fulfilling its mission to let its light shine before men.
  • Hope in Despair: For those experiencing personal or collective periods of "darkness" or difficulty, this verse offers immense hope. It reminds us that God's light is always available, and His glory can rise even in the midst of our deepest trials, leading to restoration and a renewed purpose.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ephesians 5:14 (92 votes)

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

  • Ephesians 5:8 (83 votes)

    For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  • Isaiah 52:1 (64 votes)

    ¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

  • Isaiah 52:2 (64 votes)

    Shake thyself from the dust; arise, [and] sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

  • John 8:12 (61 votes)

    ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Isaiah 60:19 (56 votes)

    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 (56 votes)

    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.