Isaiah 60:5

"“Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather themselves together. They come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried in arms."

Key Reflection

Isaiah 60:5 addresses the restoration of Jerusalem following its desolation during the Babylonian exile. The original audience, living in a time of turmoil and uncertainty, would have seen this as a promise of divine intervention—enemies and former captives returning to rebuild their city. The imagery of sons coming from distant lands and daughters being tenderly carried highlights the comprehensive and intimate nature of this restoration, emphasizing that all aspects of society will be revitalized under God’s guidance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Then shalt thou see -Lowth renders this, ‘Then shalt thou fear and overflow with joy;’ and supposes that it refers to the agitation and anxiety of mind attending the scene, and to the joy consequent on the numerous conversions. His authority for this change is, that forty manuscripts (two of them ancient) haveתיראי, ‘thou shalt fear,’ instead ofתראיtı̂re'ı̂y, ‘thou shalt see.’ But though the change is of a single letter, there is not sufficient authority to make it, nor does the sense require it. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Chaldee, Syiac, Arabic, and Castellio, all render it in accordance with the present reading of the Hebrew text.

Related Verses

More from Isaiah 60

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