Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Isaiah · About this commentary
Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come
Isaiah 60:1-22
1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you! · WEB
Light arrives on one city while the earth stays dark, and the gates are left open because nobody is coming to attack.
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh's glory has risen on you! Isaiah 60:1.
The imperative is odd — a command to shine, given to something that has no light of its own. The reason follows: the light has come, and the glory has risen, both accomplished. The shining asked for is reflection.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will arise on you Isaiah 60:2.
The two facts are simultaneous. The dark does not lift everywhere; light falls on one place while the rest stays covered, which is why it can be seen at all.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising Isaiah 60:3.
And the point of the arrangement. A lit place in a dark landscape is what people walk toward.
Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried in arms Isaiah 60:4.
A multitude of camels will cover you... All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of Yahweh Isaiah 60:6.
Camels out of the desert and two of the three gifts that arrive in Matthew's account of the visitors from the east Matthew 2:11.
Who are these who fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Isaiah 60:8.
The finest image in the chapter, and it is a question asked by someone watching. Sails on the horizon look like a cloud coming in; and homing doves returning to a dovecote is what the returning exiles look like from the city walls. Both comparisons are about something coming back to where it belongs.
Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you Isaiah 60:10.
Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night Isaiah 60:11.
A city gate was shut at dusk, every night, without exception. Gates permanently open are a statement that nothing hostile is expected — and the same detail describes the city at the end of Scripture Revelation 21:25.
For bronze I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, bronze, and for stones, iron Isaiah 60:17.
Every material is upgraded one grade, including the stones.
I will also make peace your governor, and righteousness your ruler. Violence shall no more be heard in your land... but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise Isaiah 60:17–18.
The two structures a city depends on are renamed for what they now consist of.
The sun will be no more your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Yahweh will be your everlasting light Isaiah 60:19.
The last book of Scripture repeats the verse of the city that needs no sun Revelation 21:23.
The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time Isaiah 60:22.
The last clause holds two things together that do not obviously belong: quickly, and in its time.
settled What this mark means