Isaiah 60 17

Isaiah 60:17 kjv

For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

Isaiah 60:17 nkjv

"Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness.

Isaiah 60:17 niv

Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.

Isaiah 60:17 esv

Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness.

Isaiah 60:17 nlt

I will exchange your bronze for gold,
your iron for silver,
your wood for bronze,
and your stones for iron.
I will make peace your leader
and righteousness your ruler.

Isaiah 60 verses

Isaiah 60 17 Meaning

Isaiah 60:17 vividly describes a complete and transformative renewal of Zion, symbolizing an unparalleled era of divine favor and blessing. It foretells a radical upgrade in the city's material components, replacing common building materials with increasingly precious metals. More profoundly, it declares a fundamental transformation in governance, where previously administrative or even oppressive roles will be personified by peace and righteousness, establishing an era of perfect justice and harmonious living under God's rule.

Isaiah 60 17 Context

Isaiah chapter 60 is a magnificent prophecy envisioning the future glory of Jerusalem, portraying it as a city illuminated by God's own light, to which all nations will be drawn. Following chapters of judgment and sin (like Isa 59), this chapter marks a decisive shift towards God's plan for salvation and restoration. The earlier verses (60:1-16) focus on Zion's newfound brilliance, the return of her scattered people, and the tribute and wealth brought by surrounding nations. Verse 17 culminates this grand picture, not merely promising material abundance, but escalating it to an extraordinary level and, most significantly, transforming the very essence of her internal governance. It promises not just restoration, but a qualitative leap from the former state of affliction, poverty, and possibly oppressive administration. This vision contrasts sharply with the empires that once plundered and enslaved Israel, asserting God's perfect future for His chosen people.

Isaiah 60 17 Word analysis

• Instead of bronze (תַּחַת הַנְּחֹשֶׁת, taḥat han-neḥošt): Taḥat signifies "in place of" or "under." Bronze was a foundational, valuable, and ubiquitous metal in the ancient world for tools, weapons, and ornamentation, indicating a state of established function.

• I will bring gold (אָבִיא זָהָב, ʾaḇîʾ zāhāḇ): ʾAḇîʾ is a first-person singular verb, emphasizing divine agency. Gold is the most precious metal, symbolizing purity, divine presence, ultimate value, and royalty. This marks a significant upgrade in quality and worth.

• and instead of iron (וְתַחַת הַבַּרְזֶל, wə-taḥat hab-barzel): Iron was tougher and often more practical than bronze, indicating strength and utility in construction and warfare.

• I will bring silver (אָבִיא כֶסֶף, ʾaḇîʾ kesef): Silver, though less precious than gold, was still highly valuable, often used as currency and for precious artifacts. It signifies a substantial improvement over iron.

• instead of wood, bronze (וְתַחַת הָעֵצִים נְחֹשֶׁת, wə-taḥat hā-ʿēṣîm nəḥošt): Wood was a basic and common building material, representing the mundane and ordinary. Replacing it with bronze indicates a remarkable elevation.

• and instead of stones, iron (וְתַחַת הָאֲבָנִים בַּרְזֶל, wə-taḥat hā-ʾăḇānîm barzel): Stones were the most fundamental building blocks, commonplace and durable. Their replacement with iron symbolizes an extraordinary strengthening and enhancement of the very foundations.

• I will also make (וְשַׂמְתִּי, wə-śamtî): Another divine promise, "I will set/appoint," reinforcing God's direct and purposeful action in establishing this new order.

• your officers peace (פְקֻדָּתֵךְ שָׁלוֹם, pəqûddāṯēḵ šālôm): Pəqûddāṯēḵ refers to those in charge, overseers, administrators, or the entire administrative structure. The root pāqaḏ means to visit, inspect, or appoint. By equating them with šālôm (peace, wholeness, well-being), the nature of leadership shifts entirely from mere management to the active embodiment of harmony and prosperity.

• and your taskmasters (וְנֹגְשַׂיִךְ, wə-nōḡśayik): Nōḡśayik comes from a root meaning "to drive, urge, exact tribute, oppress." These were often perceived as harsh, demanding, or exploitative supervisors or tax collectors.

• righteousness (צְדָקָה, ṣədāqâ): Ṣədāqâ means righteousness, justice, equity, or moral rectitude, implying adherence to God's standards of what is right and fair. By becoming "righteousness," taskmasters cease their oppressive nature and act with perfect justice and integrity.

• "Instead of bronze I will bring gold... and instead of stones, iron": This segment highlights a miraculous qualitative and quantitative transformation of resources. The natural, mundane, or good (but not best) is superseded by something immensely superior. It's not just more; it's profoundly better. This signifies God's complete provision and upgrade for Zion in every material aspect, making her a beacon of unsurpassed glory.

• "I will also make your officers peace and your taskmasters righteousness": This climactic statement indicates an even more radical spiritual and moral transformation. Governance itself, traditionally involving supervision and sometimes burdening the people, will become infused with divine attributes. Officers, once merely administrators, will embody universal peace, ensuring true harmony and well-being. Taskmasters, historically associated with severity or demands, will personify absolute righteousness and justice, bringing perfect equity to all interactions. This speaks to a radical eradication of corruption, oppression, and injustice in all forms of leadership within God's renewed kingdom.

Isaiah 60 17 Bonus section

The concept of materials being "upgraded" (e.g., bronze to gold, iron to silver) would have resonated deeply with ancient audiences who understood the hierarchical value and spiritual significance associated with these metals. Gold, in particular, was often connected to divine presence and sacred spaces. The contrast between human attempts at order, which often devolved into oppression, and God's perfect governance, which will be characterized by peace and righteousness, serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine rule. This verse can be understood as an "eschatological reverse of the curse," where common or necessary materials are supernaturally enhanced, symbolizing an overcoming of the toils and scarcity inherent in a fallen world. This imagery points not only to the ultimate New Jerusalem but also inspires believers today to pray for and pursue peace and righteousness in leadership roles within their spheres of influence, reflecting the divine blueprint for governance.

Isaiah 60 17 Commentary

Isaiah 60:17 paints an incredible picture of a future Jerusalem totally transformed by divine initiative. The escalating scale of material upgrade, from base to precious metals, symbolizes the profound glory and unparalleled prosperity God will bestow upon Zion. This isn't merely an increase in quantity but a radical elevation in quality, demonstrating God's generous and supernatural provision that transcends all natural limitations. Crucially, the verse shifts from material to moral transformation. The promise that officers will embody "peace" and taskmasters "righteousness" represents a spiritual renewal of governance itself. It means an end to all forms of oppression, injustice, and arbitrary rule. Leadership in Zion will perfectly reflect God's own character, embodying justice, fairness, and fostering complete societal harmony. This vision anticipates the Messianic reign where King Jesus establishes His kingdom founded on absolute righteousness and eternal peace, eliminating all traces of sin, corruption, and discord from leadership and administration. It serves as a spiritual blueprint for what governance should ideally be, a standard fulfilled in the coming eternal city.