Isaiah 60 18

Isaiah 60:18 kjv

Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18 nkjv

Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18 niv

No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18 esv

Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18 nlt

Violence will disappear from your land;
the desolation and destruction of war will end.
Salvation will surround you like city walls,
and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there.

Isaiah 60 verses

Isaiah 60 18 Meaning

Isaiah 60:18 conveys a profound promise of a completely transformed future for Jerusalem (representing God's redeemed people). It declares an absolute cessation of violence, desolation, and destruction within its borders. Instead, the very structures meant for defense and access—the walls and gates—will bear names signifying God's complete deliverance and perpetual glory. This means the city's identity will be inextricably linked to God's saving power and the worship His people offer, marking an era of unparalleled peace, security, and spiritual abundance directly established by Him.

Isaiah 60 18 Context

Isaiah chapter 60 is a vibrant prophetic vision addressed to Jerusalem, envisioning its glorious restoration and ultimate prominence. Following chapters of judgment and promises of return from exile, this chapter opens with "Arise, shine, for your light has come!" (v. 1), announcing a new era of divine light, prosperity, and ingathering of nations to Jerusalem. The city, once desolate and scorned, is promised abundant wealth brought by Gentiles, the return of its dispersed children, and the favor of kings and nations. Verse 18 culminates this series of promises by guaranteeing a total reversal of its former sufferings. It transitions from the outward manifestations of its restored glory—material wealth and population—to the profound inward and inherent spiritual security and worship that will define its new reality. It directly counters Jerusalem's history of siege, destruction, and humiliation, proclaiming a permanent peace wrought by God, where physical defense mechanisms (walls, gates) are no longer for protection from external threats but for expressing divine salvation and worship. This vision extends beyond mere physical rebuilding to an eschatological hope for the perfect dwelling place of God with His people.

Isaiah 60 18 Word analysis

• Violence (Heb. חָמָס, ḥāmās): This word signifies physical violence, injustice, cruelty, and moral wrong. In biblical usage, it often refers to aggression and oppression that defiles the land (Gen 6:11-13). Its complete cessation implies a removal of all forms of malevolence and tyranny from within God's restored community. The emphasis is on a holistic eradication of all sources of fear and suffering.
• shall no more be heard: This phrase communicates absolute finality. It indicates a permanent state of peace, where the very echo or rumor of conflict and injustice will be absent. This is a divine guarantee of security, not a temporary lull.
• wasting (Heb. שֹׁד, shōḏ) nor destruction (Heb. שֶׁבֶר, shever): These two terms collectively describe ruin, desolation, and utter brokenness. Shod implies devastation and havoc, often by plunderers, while shever means a breaking or shattering, often of things, but can also denote moral collapse. Their parallel usage reinforces the comprehensive nature of the promised end to all forms of devastation, whether by foreign invasion or internal decay. The pair speaks to both the process and result of ruin.
• within thy borders: This denotes the entirety of the land and city. The promise of peace and safety is not partial but extends to every boundary and region of the redeemed community. It ensures territorial integrity and security.
• but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation (Heb. יְשׁוּעָה, yeshūʿāh):
  • call: Implies not just naming but defining the essence or identity. The city will embody this truth.
  • walls: Historically, city walls were the primary means of physical defense, signifying vulnerability or strength against attack. They represented the outer boundary and first line of resistance.
  • Salvation (yeshūʿāh): This is a comprehensive term for deliverance, help, and victory provided by God. It embodies God's saving power from all forms of danger, oppression, and even sin. By naming walls "Salvation," it signifies that the city's defense no longer rests on human-made structures or military might, but entirely on God's active, permanent, and divine deliverance. The city itself becomes a living testament to God as its complete security.
• and thy gates Praise (Heb. תְּהִלָּה, tehillāh):
  • gates: Gates were crucial entry and exit points, places for commerce, public gatherings, and legal judgments (Ruth 4:1). They were also vulnerable points in city defense.
  • Praise (tehillāh): This word refers to exultation, adoration, and worship directed to God. It encompasses thanksgiving and proclamation of His glory and mighty deeds. By naming gates "Praise," it suggests that all entry and exit, all public life and gatherings within the city, will be characterized by unending worship and acknowledgment of God's goodness. The gates, once places of scrutiny and control, become conduits for expressing glory to God.

Isaiah 60 18 Bonus section

The giving of new names or new functions to existing entities (walls and gates) is a powerful biblical motif, indicating a complete transformation or a new covenantal relationship (e.g., Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Zion called 'Hephzibah' - my delight is in her). Here, it’s not just a descriptive title but a profound statement of purpose and inherent character given by God. The city will not merely have salvation and praise; it will be salvation and praise. This foreshadows the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21-22, where the glory of God Himself is its light, its protection, and its worship. The ultimate fulfillment extends to a spiritual reality where believers find complete safety and devote their lives to glorifying God, both individually and corporately, in an unbroken communion that transcends any earthly city or border.

Isaiah 60 18 Commentary

Isaiah 60:18 presents a stunning vision of reversal and ultimate triumph, promising God's people an era of unparalleled peace and security, where the very memory of violence and destruction vanishes. This divine pledge highlights a shift from human reliance on physical fortifications to absolute trust in God's protective and redemptive power. The act of "calling" walls Salvation and gates Praise signifies a complete redefinition and re-prioritization of the city's purpose and identity. Walls, traditionally symbols of defense and a city's ability to ward off enemies, become personifications of God's complete deliverance, a constant reminder that only He secures His people. Gates, once crucial for passage and defense, transform into portals of unceasing worship, declaring to all who enter and exit that the city's life and being are consecrated to the adoration of the One who saved it. This verse moves beyond mere physical restoration to paint a picture of spiritual perfection and holy dedication. It encapsulates the eschatological hope for a New Jerusalem where God's presence banishes all evil and fills everything with His glory and His people's joyful worship. The cessation of violence is not just the absence of war, but the flourishing of perfect righteousness and joy.