Isaiah 60:12 kjv
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
Isaiah 60:12 nkjv
For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined.
Isaiah 60:12 niv
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.
Isaiah 60:12 esv
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
Isaiah 60:12 nlt
For the nations that refuse to serve you
will be destroyed.
Isaiah 60 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 2:10-12 | "Now therefore, O kings, be wise... Serve the Lord with fear... Lest he be angry, and you perish in the way..." | Kings warned to serve God to avoid wrath and perishing. |
| Zech 14:16-19 | "Then everyone who survives... will come up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts... if any of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King... there will be no rain on them." | Nations that do not worship in Jerusalem face specific judgment (no rain). |
| Rev 19:15 | "From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with an iron scepter." | Christ's authority to judge and rule nations. |
| Dan 2:44 | "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever." | God's kingdom utterly destroys and replaces earthly kingdoms. |
| Matt 25:31-33 | "When the Son of Man comes in his glory... he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." | Final judgment distinguishing between those who serve Christ and those who do not. |
| Psa 9:17 | "The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God." | Nations that forget God are destined for destruction. |
| Jer 25:31 | "A clamor will reach to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against the nations..." | God's indictment and judgment against all nations. |
| Joel 3:2 | "I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And there I will enter into judgment with them..." | God gathers and judges all nations for their actions. |
| Isa 60:3 | "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." | The positive counterpoint: nations will come to Zion's light. |
| Isa 60:9 | "For the coastlands hope for me... bringing their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you glorious." | Nations bringing wealth to honor God through Zion. |
| Psa 47:8 | "God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne." | Declaration of God's universal sovereignty over nations. |
| Psa 72:11 | "May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!" | A prophetic prayer/desire for universal submission to the Messiah-King. |
| Mic 4:2 | "Many nations shall come, and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...'" | Nations willingly going to God's mountain for instruction. |
| Zeph 3:8 | "Therefore wait for me, declares the LORD, for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation..." | God's determined judgment against all nations. |
| Luke 19:27 | "But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me." | Parable illustrating the fate of those who reject the King's reign. |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." | Ultimate culmination of God's universal kingdom. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities... many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem..." | Nations choosing to seek the Lord in Jerusalem. |
| Gal 3:8 | "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.'" | Blessing to nations through Abraham's seed (Christ) implies their integration. |
| Rom 1:5 | "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations..." | The mission to bring nations to the obedience of faith. |
| Acts 15:16-17 | "After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name." | God rebuilding Zion to include the Gentiles in seeking the Lord. |
| Isa 14:26-27 | "This is the plan that is planned concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who will annul it?" | God's unchallengeable sovereignty and plan over all nations. |
| Isa 49:7 | "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." | Kings bowing down in homage to the Holy One of Israel. |
Isaiah 60 verses
Isaiah 60 12 Meaning
Isaiah 60:12 declares a definitive consequence for nations and kingdoms that refuse to acknowledge and serve Zion, the seat of God's presence. In the prophetic vision of Zion's future glory, this verse signifies that the Lord's dominion is universal and absolute. It emphasizes divine judgment against those who oppose His sovereign plan and His chosen people, promising their complete destruction and desolation if they do not submit. This is a stark warning of the inevitable fate for any entity that rejects God's ultimate authority manifested through His glorious kingdom.
Isaiah 60 12 Context
Isaiah 60 is a vibrant prophetic vision of Jerusalem's future glory during the Messianic era. It begins with a call for Jerusalem to "Arise, shine, for your light has come!" (Isa 60:1), describing a time when darkness covers the earth, but the Lord's glory shines upon Zion. The preceding verses (Isa 60:1-11) depict a magnificent gathering of nations, bringing their wealth and resources to Zion, honoring God, and serving Jerusalem. This influx symbolizes their recognition of Yahweh's supreme authority and the blessings associated with His people. Verse 12 serves as a sharp contrast and a divine decree: while some nations willingly come to serve and worship, there will be those who resist. Historically, nations constantly threatened Israel's existence. This prophecy places God's people in a position of ultimate authority under God, reversing the ancient Near Eastern dynamic where powerful empires dominated smaller nations. The verse directly challenges the might of pagan nations and their deities, asserting Yahweh's ultimate dominion and their inevitable demise if they do not yield. It speaks to a future eschatological reality where all nations will eventually either conform to God's reign or face destruction.
Isaiah 60 12 Word analysis
- For the nation (וְהַגּוֹי֙ –
veha'goy):Goy(pluralgoyim) primarily means "nation" or "people," often referring to Gentile nations in contrast to Israel. The use of the definite article (ha-) indicates specific, though undefined, nations. Here, it denotes any and every nation not serving God's kingdom. - and kingdom (וְהַמַּמְלָכָ֔ה –
veha'mamlacha):Mamlachasignifies a kingdom or dominion, a broader political entity. Pairing "nation" and "kingdom" emphasizes the comprehensive scope – no political or ethnic entity is exempt from this decree. - that will not serve (אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יְשָֽׁרְת֔וּךְ –
asher lo yeshartuk):Asher lo: "which not" or "that not."Yeshartuk: From the verbsharath, meaning "to serve," "to minister," "to attend to." This is more than mere political subjugation; it implies offering worship, allegiance, and devoted service. The suffix-ukmeans "you" (referring to Zion/Jerusalem, representing God). The absence of this service constitutes rebellion against God's established order.
- will perish (יֹאבֵד֙ –
yoved): Fromavad, meaning "to be lost," "to perish," "to be destroyed." It signifies a complete and irreversible end, a ceasing to exist as a viable entity. - such nations (וְגֹויִ֣ם –
vegoyim): Reiteration ofgoyim(nations) from the beginning of the verse. This serves as an emphatic re-statement, broadening the judgment to include all such non-serving nations. - will be utterly laid waste (חָרֹ֖ב יֶחֱרָֽבוּ –
charov yecherevu):Charov: The infinitive absolute ofcharav, meaning "to be desolate," "to be ruined," "to lay waste."Yecherevu: The imperfect verb form ofcharav, meaning "they will be laid waste." The combination of the infinitive absolute before the finite verb (a Hebrew idiom) intensifies the meaning, signifying a complete, absolute, and unavoidable desolation. It stresses the thoroughness and certainty of the destruction.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you": This phrase clearly identifies the target of divine judgment: any socio-political entity that withholds loyalty, worship, and service from God's chosen seat of authority. It's a statement about divine prerogative and the universal expectation of submission to God's reign.
- "will perish; such nations will be utterly laid waste": This pair of clauses reinforces the severity and certainty of the judgment. "Perish" indicates extinction, while "utterly laid waste" describes the manner of that destruction—total desolation. The use of an infinitive absolute "utterly laid waste" provides absolute assurance of the judgment's finality and totality. This double declaration serves to remove any doubt about the fate of resistant powers.
Isaiah 60 12 Bonus section
The concept of "serving" (Hebrew: sharath) in the context of this verse is highly significant. It extends beyond mere servitude or forced labor; it carries connotations of devoted attendance, ministering, and being in the service of a superior with reverence and dedication. In temple service, priests sharath God. Here, for nations to sharath Zion implies a humble and willing participation in God's redemptive plan through His people, rather than independent pursuit of self-interests. This future state contrasts sharply with Israel's past experiences where they were often victims of larger, hostile nations. Isaiah 60:12 ensures that in the future, God’s glory in Zion will be so manifest that neutrality or opposition will simply cease to be options; they will lead to absolute judgment. This ultimate demonstration of power assures believers that God's purposes will triumph over all human and geopolitical resistance.
Isaiah 60 12 Commentary
Isaiah 60:12 provides a stark alternative to the glorious picture of nations flocking to Zion described in the preceding verses. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the inescapable nature of His righteous judgment. In the Messianic era, submission to God's chosen representative and His kingdom will not be optional; it will be a prerequisite for continued existence and flourishing. The "service" here encompasses worship, honor, and allegiance, indicating that true submission involves acknowledging Yahweh's divine authority. Any nation or kingdom refusing this will face total annihilation, described through vivid language emphasizing complete desolation. This is not merely political dominance, but a divine purging of all opposition to God's ultimate universal reign, establishing His kingdom as supreme and uncontested. It highlights that God’s gracious offer to join in His glory comes with a condition of faithfulness.
- Example for Practical Usage: In light of this, followers of God are called to pray for national leaders to recognize and align with divine principles, advocating for justice and righteousness within their spheres of influence, and recognizing that true peace and prosperity for any nation ultimately depend on its alignment with God's will.