Isaiah Chapter 60 · Verse 13
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
Original Language Analysis
כְּב֤וֹד
The glory
H3519
כְּב֤וֹד
The glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
בְּר֛וֹשׁ
unto thee the fir tree
H1265
בְּר֛וֹשׁ
unto thee the fir tree
Strong's:
H1265
Word #:
5 of 14
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
תִּדְהָ֥ר
the pine tree
H8410
תִּדְהָ֥ר
the pine tree
Strong's:
H8410
Word #:
6 of 14
enduring; a species of hard-wood or lasting tree (perhaps oak)
לְפָאֵר֙
to beautify
H6286
לְפָאֵר֙
to beautify
Strong's:
H6286
Word #:
9 of 14
to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree
וּמְק֥וֹם
and I will make the place
H4725
וּמְק֥וֹם
and I will make the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י
of my sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י
of my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
11 of 14
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
וּמְק֥וֹם
and I will make the place
H4725
וּמְק֥וֹם
and I will make the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Cross References
Isaiah 35:2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.1 Chronicles 28:2Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:Psalms 132:7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.Psalms 96:6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Historical Context
Solomon's temple incorporated Lebanon's finest cedars (1 Kings 5:6-10, 6:9-18), making it architecturally magnificent. The second temple, though rebuilt, lacked such glory (Ezra 3:12, Haggai 2:3). This prophecy promised restoration of glory, but not primarily through physical building. Jesus is the true temple (John 2:19-21), and believers corporately become God's dwelling through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't cedar but the Shekinah presence of God in Christ dwelling among His people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ fulfill the prophecy of beautifying God's sanctuary?
- In what sense are believers the 'choice materials' that beautify God's spiritual temple?
- What does it mean for God to make 'the place of His feet glorious' in the church age?
Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy returns to glory: "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary." Lebanon's glory was its magnificent cedars and timber (1 Kings 5:6-10), used in Solomon's temple. The three trees mentioned—berosh (fir/cypress), tidhar (pine/plane), te'ashur (box)—represent Lebanon's finest wood. These will "beautify the place of my sanctuary," meaning God's dwelling place. The verse concludes: "and I will make the place of my feet glorious." God's "footstool" refers to His throne, His dwelling, His presence (Psalm 99:5, 132:7, Lamentations 2:1). From a Reformed perspective, the physical temple typified Christ's body (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't primarily architectural but spiritual—God's presence among His people. The New Jerusalem needs no temple because God's presence fills everything (Revelation 21:22). The choicest materials represent the best of creation consecrated to God's glory and believers being living stones in His spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5).