Isaiah 60 9

Isaiah 60:9 kjv

Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 60:9 nkjv

Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, To the name of the LORD your God, And to the Holy One of Israel, Because He has glorified you.

Isaiah 60:9 niv

Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

Isaiah 60:9 esv

For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, 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 beautiful.

Isaiah 60:9 nlt

They are ships from the ends of the earth,
from lands that trust in me,
led by the great ships of Tarshish.
They are bringing the people of Israel home from far away,
carrying their silver and gold.
They will honor the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has filled you with splendor.

Isaiah 60 verses

Isaiah 60 9 Meaning

Isaiah 60:9 portrays a future where distant nations, particularly maritime powers symbolized by the "isles" and "ships of Tarshish," eagerly anticipate the Lord and gather Israel's scattered children from across the globe. These nations bring their wealth of silver and gold as offerings, not to Israel, but to glorify the Name of the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, whose magnificent presence has now shone forth through Zion, the gloriously restored people and place. It speaks of the Lord drawing the world's resources and peoples towards Himself through a re-established and radiant Zion.

Isaiah 60 9 Context

Isaiah 60 is a vibrant prophetic vision following chapters that describe God's judgment and later His comfort for His people. This chapter unveils a glorious future for Jerusalem (Zion) after a period of affliction and darkness. It begins by declaring, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" (Is 60:1). The nations, which previously walked in darkness, are now drawn to this divine light emanating from Zion.

The verses leading up to 60:9 detail the ingathering of Israel's sons and daughters and the influx of Gentile wealth and homage to Jerusalem (Is 60:4-7). This is not just a restoration to former glory but an unprecedented new era of splendor and international recognition, entirely initiated and empowered by the Lord. Verse 9 specifically highlights the global scope of this gathering, focusing on distant lands beyond the immediate vicinity, bringing their people and resources for the singular purpose of honoring God and witnessing His magnified glory in Zion. Historically, it offers hope to a post-exilic community and speaks to a final eschatological fulfillment beyond.

Isaiah 60 9 Word analysis

• Surely (אֲלֵיהֶן - ʾălêhen): This word functions as an emphatic particle here, reinforcing the certainty and inevitability of the prophecy. It conveys assurance, akin to "indeed" or "behold," highlighting the divine decree.
• the isles (אִיִּים - iyyîm): Literally "islands," but frequently used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to distant coastlands, particularly those of the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. It represents Gentile nations far from Israel's immediate geographical vicinity, signifying the global reach of God's redemptive plan beyond the Levant.
• shall wait for Me (יְקַוּוּ - yəqavvû): From the root meaning "to hope, expect, wait patiently." It suggests an eager, sustained anticipation and reliance upon the Lord. These distant nations are not just passively observing, but actively looking for God's manifestation and intervention. This waiting often implies a turning from idols to the true God.
• and the ships of Tarshish first (אֳנִיּוֹת תַרְשִׁישׁ בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה - ʾŏnîyôṯ Tarshish bārishonāh):
  • ships of Tarshish: "Tarshish" was a renowned port city, likely in modern-day Spain, famous for its rich trade, particularly in metals like silver, gold, tin, and iron. It became a byword for large, long-distance trading vessels that traversed vast oceans, representing the farthest and wealthiest reaches of the Gentile maritime world (e.g., Jon 1:3). Mentioning them underscores the immense, distant, and prosperous nations participating.
  • first (bārishonāh): This can imply either "at the very beginning" of this influx, or "as the most prominent/chief" among the arriving ships, signifying their leading role or the excellence of their contribution. It emphasizes their eager priority in this global pilgrimage.
• to bring thy sons from far (לְהָבִיא בָנַיִךְ מֵרָחוֹק - lĕhāḇîʾ bānāyiḵ mēraḥôq):
  • to bring: The purpose of the ships and nations waiting.
  • thy sons: Referring to Israel's scattered descendants, dispersed among the nations due to exile and diaspora. This highlights the miraculous ingathering of God's chosen people.
  • from far: Reinforces the global scope of the ingathering, from the remotest regions.
• their silver and their gold with them (כַּסְפָּם וּזְהָבָם אִתָּם - kas(e)pām ûzəhāḇām ʾittām): This speaks of the material wealth of these nations. It signifies not only their abundance but also their willingness to offer these valuable resources, accompanying the returning exiles. It contrasts with pagan worship where such wealth might be offered to idols; here it's redirected to the true God and His people. This acts as both provision and tribute.
• unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel (לְשֵׁם יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיִךְ וְלִקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל - ləšēm Yahweh ʾĔlōhāyiḵ wəliqeḏôš Yiśrāʾēl):
  • unto the name of the LORD thy God: "Name" represents God's revealed character, His presence, and His glory (Ex 3:15, Ps 8:1). All the tribute and ingathering are ultimately for His honor and to declare His supremacy. The address "thy God" underscores His covenant faithfulness to Israel.
  • the Holy One of Israel: A distinctive title for God frequently used in Isaiah (e.g., Is 1:4, 5:19). It emphasizes His absolute transcendence, moral purity, and unique relationship with His people, highlighting the awe and reverence due to Him.
• because He hath glorified thee (כִּי פֵאֲרָךְ - kî fēʾărāḵ):
  • because: This explains the fundamental reason for all these glorious events.
  • He hath glorified thee: God Himself is the agent of Zion's glory (pēʾărāḵ from root פָּאַר - paʾar which means to beautify, glorify, honor). The splendor and attractiveness of Zion (Jerusalem/Israel) are not inherent but a direct result of God's radiant presence and divine favor upon her (Is 60:1-3). It is God's glory on Zion that draws the nations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The isles shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first: This pairing emphasizes the scope—both geographically (distant lands) and economically/transportation-wise (their most capable vessels). It suggests eager anticipation from global powers, possibly driven by observing God's acts in Zion.
• to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them: This group clearly outlines the dual purpose of the nations' coming: the return of the scattered exiles and the accompanying tribute of wealth. It signifies restitution, support, and submission from the Gentile world towards Israel.
• unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel; because He hath glorified thee: This conclusive phrase roots the entire magnificent scene in theological reality. The destination of all this activity (people, wealth) is God Himself. It is an act of worship and recognition of His unique identity. The "because" clause makes it clear that Zion's glory is derivative of God's glory shining through her, underscoring divine initiation and purpose.

Isaiah 60 9 Bonus section

The mention of "ships of Tarshish" carries a strong historical and symbolic weight. While often linked to an actual historical Phoenician port, it evolved to represent a specific class of large, deep-sea sailing vessels capable of extensive voyages, thereby symbolizing long-distance trade, wealth, and power from the furthest reaches of the known world. Thus, "ships of Tarshish" signify the most advanced and valuable carriers of wealth and influence from distant Gentile lands.

The Hebrew word yakov (יְקַוּוּ - "shall wait") goes beyond mere patience; it often implies an active hope, a stretching out with expectation, signifying an earnest desire and anticipation for God's revealed presence and salvific work. This underlines a spiritual turning from mere commerce to a hunger for divine truth among the nations. The emphasis on God's 'name' being the ultimate recipient implies that the wealth and people are dedicated for purposes of worship and upholding God's identity and covenant relationship with Israel. This stands in direct contrast to contemporary beliefs of ancient Near Eastern empires, where the wealth of conquered nations typically augmented the glory of human kings or patron deities within their specific cults. Isaiah’s prophecy depicts the one true God universally revered, and His people’s wealth accumulated not for their own vanity, but to manifest His holiness and splendor.

Isaiah 60 9 Commentary

Isaiah 60:9 vividly paints a picture of a future Messianic era, an outpouring of God's blessing that transforms Jerusalem and attracts the world. It extends the vision of Zion as a light to the nations (Is 60:1-3) to include specific, powerful nations symbolized by the "ships of Tarshish" – often understood as the epitome of global maritime trade and wealth. These distant powers are not coming to conquer or exploit, but to "wait for" (anticipate and rely upon) the Lord, signaling a turning away from paganism towards the true God.

Their journey is multi-faceted: they bring back Israel's scattered "sons," reversing the pain of exile and fulfilling covenant promises of ingathering. Alongside these returnees, they present their own valuable "silver and gold," not as a tax, but as an act of homage and support for the gloriously restored people of God. This influx of Gentile resources serves to build up and beautify Zion (Is 60:13) but ultimately dedicates itself to the "name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel." This affirms the monotheistic and covenantal heart of the prophecy: all blessing and tribute culminate in God's glory.

The underlying reason for this spectacular transformation is divinely initiated: "because He hath glorified thee." It is not Israel's inherent righteousness that draws the nations, but God's radiant glory dwelling in and shining through Israel, making her a magnet for the world. This passage prefigures both the initial return from Babylonian exile and a grander, eschatological gathering where Christ, the ultimate light and glory, draws all nations (John 12:32) and builds His spiritual Zion (Heb 12:22).

This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder for believers that God's plans for His people are global in scope, often involve unexpected alliances, and are ultimately purposed for His own honor and praise among all nations.

• Practical example: Missions efforts around the world, particularly those reaching isolated "islands" or distant communities, mirror the "isles waiting" for God, anticipating His presence. The sharing of resources (silver and gold) within the global church for building up believers and extending the kingdom reflects the prophetic truth of nations bringing their treasures for God's glory.