Isaiah 60 10

Isaiah 60:10 kjv

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.

Isaiah 60:10 nkjv

"The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, And their kings shall minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, But in My favor I have had mercy on you.

Isaiah 60:10 niv

"Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.

Isaiah 60:10 esv

Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you.

Isaiah 60:10 nlt

"Foreigners will come to rebuild your towns,
and their kings will serve you.
For though I have destroyed you in my anger,
I will now have mercy on you through my grace.

Isaiah 60 verses

Isaiah 60 10 Meaning

Isaiah 60:10 describes a future glorious restoration for Zion (Jerusalem) where nations and their leaders, who once afflicted her, will instead dedicate their efforts and resources to her rebuilding and service. This radical transformation is attributed to God's shift from righteous judgment ("wrath") for past transgressions to divine grace and compassion ("favor" and "mercy") as He ushers in an era of peace and prominence for His chosen city.

Isaiah 60 10 Context

Isaiah chapter 60 is a prophetic vision of future glory for Zion (Jerusalem). It immediately follows passages lamenting Israel's sin (ch. 58-59) but also God's promise of redemption through His Servant. The chapter opens with a call for Jerusalem to "Arise, shine, for your light has come," indicating a dramatic shift from darkness and affliction to divine favor and radiance. The immediate verses describe nations coming to Zion, drawn by her light and bringing their wealth. Verse 10 builds on this, showing concrete acts of service from these formerly alien and even hostile nations. The historical context reflects a people who had experienced judgment, exile, and the destruction of their city. This prophecy offers profound hope, envisioning a Jerusalem not just restored, but elevated to a position of universal admiration and spiritual prominence, protected and honored by those who once sought her ruin, all initiated by God's renewed favor.

Isaiah 60 10 Word analysis

• And the sons of strangers (וּבְנֵי־נֵכָר, u'və·nê-nê·ḵār):

  • "sons of strangers": Translates "children of foreigners" or "foreigners." The Hebrew term nekar often implies being foreign, alienated, or Gentile.
  • Significance: Highlights that those who were not part of Israel, and in many cases were antagonistic, will now be active participants in Zion's restoration, representing a reversal of previous relationships and God's expansive plan of inclusion.

• shall build up thy walls (יִבְנוּ חֹמוֹתַיִךְ, yiv·nū ḥō·mō·ṯayikh):

  • "build up": Suggests active construction and restoration.
  • "thy walls": Walls represent security, defense, civic identity, and the boundaries of a re-established, flourishing city. Their rebuilding signifies the end of vulnerability and the renewal of strength and protection for Jerusalem.
  • Significance: Symbolizes not just physical reconstruction but also renewed safety, dignity, and re-establishment for God's people.

• and their kings (וּמַלְכֵיהֶם, ū·mal·ḵê·hem):

  • "their kings": Refers to the rulers of these foreign nations.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that even the highest authority among the Gentiles will humble themselves and contribute to Zion, signifying global recognition and respect for Jerusalem's divinely appointed supremacy.

• shall minister unto thee (יְשָׁרְתוּנָךְ, yə·šār·ṯū·nākh):

  • "minister": Implies service, attendance, or providing assistance, often in a respectful or even deferential manner.
  • Significance: Underscores the complete role reversal, from dominance and oppression by foreign powers to their willing submission and supportive service for Zion, marking God's definitive establishment of Zion's sovereignty.

• for in my wrath (כִּי בְקִצְפִּי, kî və·qiṣ·pî):

  • "for": Introduces the divine rationale for the previous affliction.
  • "my wrath": Qetsep refers to God's righteous anger or indignation. It implies disciplinary judgment against Israel's disobedience.
  • Significance: Directly links Israel's past suffering and destruction to God's holy, active displeasure over their sin, validating divine justice and proving God's sovereignty over historical events.

• I smote thee (הִכִּיתִךְ, hik·kî·ṯikh):

  • "smote": A forceful verb indicating direct divine punishment or affliction.
  • Significance: Confirms that Israel's suffering was not arbitrary or a sign of God's absence, but a deliberate act of divine chastisement for their spiritual infidelity.

• but in my favour (וּבִרְצוֹנִי, ū·vir·ṣō·nî):

  • "but": Introduces a sharp contrast to the previous state.
  • "my favour": Ratzon signifies God's good pleasure, acceptance, or delight. It indicates a restoration of grace.
  • Significance: This word marks the pivotal shift in God's disposition toward His people, highlighting that their future glory stems purely from His benevolent will and choosing, not from their merit.

• have I had mercy on thee (רִחַמְתִּיךְ, riḥam·tîkh):

  • "had mercy": Racham speaks of tender affection, deep compassion, and a loving concern.
  • Significance: Reveals the depth of God's character; His ultimate intention is always to show lovingkindness and restoration, transforming judgment into renewed covenant blessing and grace.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee": This entire phrase presents a powerful reversal of fortunes. It illustrates the complete turnaround from past oppression (where foreigners destroyed walls and nations exploited Israel) to future subservience, cooperation, and honor shown to Zion. It signals the advent of a new global order centered on God's renewed people.
• "For in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee": This forms the divine theological explanation for the dramatic change. It articulates the arc of God's interaction with Israel: temporary disciplinary judgment followed by everlasting, gracious redemption. It establishes that all human experience, whether punishment or blessing, ultimately emanates from God's sovereign will and righteous character, and His mercy triumphs over judgment.

Isaiah 60 10 Bonus section

The vision of Gentiles serving Zion extends metaphorically to the New Testament concept of the global Church, where ethnic distinctions fade as all believers, Jew and Gentile, become co-heirs and members of the same spiritual body, contributing their gifts and resources to the expansion of God's kingdom (Eph 2:19-22; Gal 3:28). While Isaiah's prophecy has literal components concerning Israel's future, its spiritual truth encompasses God's design for universal redemption and the establishment of His kingdom on earth through Christ. The shift from "wrath" to "favor" mirrors the New Testament understanding of humanity's reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, moving from divine condemnation to divine grace for all who believe (Rom 5:9-10).

Isaiah 60 10 Commentary

Isaiah 60:10 offers a profound vision of redemptive reversal and divine sovereignty. It encapsulates the core message of chapters 58-66: God's ultimate desire is restoration and glory for His people after a period of just, though painful, discipline. The imagery of foreign nations rebuilding Zion's walls and their kings serving her symbolizes not merely a physical reconstruction, but a comprehensive re-establishment of Zion's security, honor, and influence in the world. This is not through Israel's military might, but through the magnetic power of God's presence radiating from her, attracting universal homage.

The theological foundation is crucial: "For in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee." This sentence underscores that God is in complete control of history. The prior suffering was not abandonment but disciplinary wrath, finite in its duration and purpose. The subsequent outpouring of blessing, marked by foreigners' service, is a result of God's boundless favor and tender mercy, which is everlasting. This verse powerfully anticipates the full ingathering of Gentiles into the worship of the one true God, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the church and the glorious New Jerusalem. It teaches that even in the darkest valleys of judgment, God's unchanging character promises a dawn of favor and abundant compassion.