Isaiah 60 5

Isaiah 60:5 kjv

Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

Isaiah 60:5 nkjv

Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

Isaiah 60:5 niv

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

Isaiah 60:5 esv

Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

Isaiah 60:5 nlt

Your eyes will shine,
and your heart will thrill with joy,
for merchants from around the world will come to you.
They will bring you the wealth of many lands.

Isaiah 60 verses

Isaiah 60 5 Meaning

Isaiah 60:5 promises a profound transformation for Zion, moving from desolation to overwhelming joy and abundance. Upon witnessing the divine glory rising upon her (from Isa 60:1-4) and the subsequent ingathering of Gentile nations, Zion will experience a deep, inward emotional response. Her heart will "radiant," indicating a shining forth of inner joy and well-being. This will be accompanied by a powerful spiritual stirring—a holy "thrill" or awe-filled trembling—that causes her "heart to expand," signifying an increase in capacity for joy, hope, and welcome. The direct cause for this exultation is the physical and spiritual wealth of the Gentile nations ("abundance of the sea" and "wealth of the nations") being voluntarily brought to Jerusalem, signifying universal acknowledgment of God's presence and blessing in Zion.

Isaiah 60 5 Context

Isaiah chapter 60 is a prophetic oracle addressing Zion/Jerusalem, envisioning her glorious restoration after a period of affliction and darkness. The preceding verses (60:1-4) describe the arrival of God's light and glory upon Zion, leading to the drawing of Gentile nations and their kings, bringing their children and their wealth to her. Verse 5 is the internal, emotional, and external response of Zion to this grand spectacle. Historically, the immediate audience would have been post-exilic Judah, wrestling with the challenges of rebuilding Jerusalem amidst the apparent failure of past prophetic promises. This vision would serve as a powerful reassurance of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and Jerusalem's destined glory, contrasting sharply with their present humbled state. It directly countered any despair or reliance on surrounding pagan powers, asserting YHWH alone as the source of true glory, wealth, and restoration.

Isaiah 60 5 Word analysis

• Then (וְרָאִיתְ, wə·rā·’îṯ): A conjunctive participle connecting Zion's response to the preceding verses' descriptions of light and incoming nations. It marks a consequence or direct result of witnessing God's actions.

• you shall see (רָאִיתְ, rā·’îṯ): From ra'ah (רָאָה), "to see," implying not just physical perception but also spiritual discernment and understanding. Zion truly apprehends the divine work.

• and be radiant (וְנָהַרְתְּ, wə·nā·harṯ): From nahar (נָהַר). While "to stream" is a primary meaning, here it means "to flow (with light)," "to shine brightly," "to be radiant" or "glow." It expresses an overflowing joy, an inner light shining forth, reflective of God's glory on Zion. Some interpretations also link it to "flowing together," hinting at the convergence of nations, but "radiant" better captures the personal effect on Zion's disposition.

• your heart (וּפָחַד וְרָחַב, û·p̄ā·ḥaḏ wə·rā·ḥaḇ) – referring to the center of emotions, intellect, and will. It is the core of one's being.

• shall thrill (וּפָחַד, û·p̄ā·ḥaḏ): From paḥad (פָּחַד). While often meaning "to fear" or "be in dread," in this context, when coupled with "expand" and resulting from a glorious vision, it refers to a trembling or throbbing born of intense, overwhelming awe, excitement, and holy reverence. It's a deep emotional stir that is joyful rather than terrifying, a positive surge.

• and expand (וְרָחַב, wə·rā·ḥaḇ): From raḥab (רָחַב), meaning "to be wide," "enlarge," or "expand." This signifies an increase in the heart's capacity for joy, hope, and generosity. The awe ("thrill") at God's actions opens up the heart, overcoming any narrowness or fear of the past.

• because (כִּי, kî): A causal conjunction, directly linking Zion's internal transformation to the external arrival of blessings.

• the abundance (הֲמוֹן, hă·mōwn): From hamon (הָמוֹן), "multitude," "crowd," "noise," but also "abundance," "wealth." Here, it signifies the vast quantity of goods, people, and resources.

• of the sea (יָם, yām): The "sea" often symbolizes distant lands, especially maritime nations, and therefore represents the Gentile world, foreign commerce, and distant wealth.

• shall be turned to you (יֵהָפֵךְ עָלַיִךְ, yê·hā·p̄êḵ ‘ā·la·yiḵ): From haphak (הָפַךְ), "to turn," "overturn," "change." This denotes a profound redirection or reversal of fortune—resources that once belonged to others or flowed elsewhere will now be redirected towards Zion.

• the wealth (וְחֵיל, wə·ḥêl): From ḥayil (חַיִל), meaning "strength," "valor," "wealth," "army." Here it emphasizes the tangible riches, resources, and power possessed by the nations.

• of the nations (גּוֹיִם, gō·yim): "Nations," referring specifically to the non-Israelite peoples or Gentiles.

• shall come to you (יָבֹאוּ לָךְ, yā·ḇō·’ū lāḵ): "Shall come" implies a voluntary and intentional approach, a respectful offering, acknowledging Zion's divine elevation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and expand": This describes an all-encompassing, deeply personal, and positive emotional and spiritual reaction of Zion. The "seeing" leads to a brilliant inner radiance, while the "thrilling" awe prompts a liberating expansion of the heart, signifying newfound capacity for joy and acceptance. This illustrates a holistic transformation: perception, manifestation, and internal experience are all aligned in jubilant celebration.
  • "because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you": These two parallel phrases explicitly state the reason for Zion's profound joy and transformation. They emphasize the massive scale of material and perhaps even human resources flowing in from the entire Gentile world. This transfer of wealth signifies a global acknowledgment of God's reign centered in Jerusalem, and a reversal of Israel's past desolation. The passive construction ("shall be turned") highlights God as the ultimate orchestrator of this re-direction.

Isaiah 60 5 Bonus section

The promise of "the abundance of the sea" and "the wealth of the nations" points to more than mere physical gold and silver. In an ultimate sense, it anticipates the spiritual richness and diverse gifts that the Gentile believers bring into the Body of Christ and eventually into the eternal city. The "turning" of this wealth implies a shift in loyalty and allegiance—resources once dedicated to worldly pursuits or idolatry are now consecrated to God's purposes in Zion. The "expanded heart" can also symbolize Zion's increased capacity to embrace and shepherd these incoming peoples, reflecting a grander vision of God's global kingdom.

Isaiah 60 5 Commentary

Isaiah 60:5 powerfully depicts Zion's overwhelming emotional response to her divine glorification and the influx of Gentile nations. It highlights a profound inner change, moving from despair or anxiety to an uncontainable joy and reverent awe. This transformation manifests as radiant light and an expansive heart, prepared to receive the unprecedented abundance that God orchestrates from "the sea" (maritime powers) and all "nations." The verse speaks not merely of material prosperity but of a spiritual blossoming, where awe at God's redemptive work liberates the heart to new capacities of welcome and rejoicing. It ultimately points to an eschatological reality where the glory of God through His people attracts the world's devotion and resources, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the church and the New Jerusalem where Gentiles freely join and contribute to God's kingdom.