Isaiah 60:14
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָלְכ֨וּ
thee shall come
H1980
וְהָלְכ֨וּ
thee shall come
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּנֵ֣י
The sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְעַנַּ֔יִךְ
also of them that afflicted
H6031
מְעַנַּ֔יִךְ
also of them that afflicted
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
5 of 18
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ
thee shall bow themselves down
H7812
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ
thee shall bow themselves down
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
6 of 18
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כַּפּ֥וֹת
at the soles
H3709
כַּפּ֥וֹת
at the soles
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
8 of 18
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
רַגְלַ֖יִךְ
of thy feet
H7272
רַגְלַ֖יִךְ
of thy feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
9 of 18
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְנַֽאֲצָ֑יִךְ
unto thee and all they that despised
H5006
מְנַֽאֲצָ֑יִךְ
unto thee and all they that despised
Strong's:
H5006
Word #:
11 of 18
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom
וְקָ֤רְאוּ
and they shall call
H7121
וְקָ֤רְאוּ
and they shall call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
12 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עִ֣יר
thee The city
H5892
עִ֣יר
thee The city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צִיּ֖וֹן
The Zion
H6726
צִיּ֖וֹן
The Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
16 of 18
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Revelation 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.Isaiah 49:23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.Hebrews 12:22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,Isaiah 1:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.Isaiah 45:14Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.Isaiah 62:12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.Jeremiah 16:19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.Revelation 14:1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.Psalms 87:3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
Historical Context
Israel endured oppression from Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and others. The idea of their oppressors' descendants bowing seemed impossible. However, the gospel transformed former persecutors into believers. Paul, who persecuted the church, bowed before Christ (Acts 9). Romans who crucified Christ became Christians. The spread of Christianity into formerly hostile territories fulfilled this. Eschatologically, every knee will bow and acknowledge Christ's lordship (Philippians 2:10-11), including those who pierced Him (Revelation 1:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's vindication of His people demonstrate His justice and faithfulness?
- What comfort does this promise provide to believers currently facing persecution or contempt?
- How does Paul's conversion from persecutor to apostle illustrate this prophecy's fulfillment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The stunning reversal continues: "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee." Former oppressors' descendants will bow in submission. "And all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet." The most humiliating posture—bowing at feet—is adopted by former despisers. This echoes Revelation 3:9 where Christ promises that false worshipers will acknowledge the true church. The result: "and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel." Former enemies recognize Zion's identity as God's city, the dwelling place of the Holy One. From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the vindication of God's people. Though presently persecuted and despised, believers will ultimately be honored (1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Revelation 3:9). This doesn't promote vengeance but demonstrates God's justice—truth will be vindicated, and those who opposed God's people will acknowledge their error. It also illustrates conversion—many former enemies become worshipers (Paul being the prime example, Acts 9).