Isaiah Chapter 60 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Original Language Analysis

לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׁמַ֨ע shall no more be heard H8085
יִשָּׁמַ֨ע shall no more be heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 2 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
ע֤וֹד H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
חָמָס֙ Violence H2555
חָמָס֙ Violence
Strong's: H2555
Word #: 4 of 13
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
בְּאַרְצֵ֔ךְ in thy land H776
בְּאַרְצֵ֔ךְ in thy land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 13
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
שֹׁ֥ד wasting H7701
שֹׁ֥ד wasting
Strong's: H7701
Word #: 6 of 13
violence, ravage
וָשֶׁ֖בֶר nor destruction H7667
וָשֶׁ֖בֶר nor destruction
Strong's: H7667
Word #: 7 of 13
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
בִּגְבוּלָ֑יִךְ within thy borders H1366
בִּגְבוּלָ֑יִךְ within thy borders
Strong's: H1366
Word #: 8 of 13
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וְקָרָ֤את but thou shalt call H7121
וְקָרָ֤את but thou shalt call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 9 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְשׁוּעָה֙ Salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעָה֙ Salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 10 of 13
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
חוֹמֹתַ֔יִךְ thy walls H2346
חוֹמֹתַ֔יִךְ thy walls
Strong's: H2346
Word #: 11 of 13
a wall of protection
וּשְׁעָרַ֖יִךְ and thy gates H8179
וּשְׁעָרַ֖יִךְ and thy gates
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 12 of 13
an opening, i.e., door or gate
תְּהִלָּֽה׃ Praise H8416
תְּהִלָּֽה׃ Praise
Strong's: H8416
Word #: 13 of 13
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

Analysis & Commentary

The climactic promise: "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders." The Hebrew chamas (violence), shod (wasting/devastation), and sheber (destruction) emphasize complete security. All forms of harm cease. Instead: "but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." The walls are named Yeshuah (Salvation)—the same root as Jesus' name. Gates are called Tehillah (Praise). This means salvation provides protection and praise grants access—security and worship define the city. From a Reformed perspective, this describes both present spiritual reality and future consummated kingdom. Presently, believers find security in salvation through Christ (Romans 8:31-39)—no enemy can ultimately harm those protected by God's saving grace. Our access to God is through praise and worship made possible by Christ's mediation (Hebrews 10:19-22). Ultimately, the New Jerusalem perfectly fulfills this—no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4), only eternal worship (Revelation 22:3-5). The walls are unnecessary because God's salvation is complete; the gates are perpetually open for worship.

Historical Context

Jerusalem's history was marked by violence—foreign invasions, internal conflicts, sieges, destructions. The walls repeatedly breached, gates burned. Even after post-exilic rebuilding, threats remained. The prophecy looked beyond physical security to spiritual reality. Christ achieved true salvation, defeating sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15). The church experiences spiritual security even amid physical persecution (Romans 8:35-39). Complete fulfillment comes in the New Jerusalem where all threats are eternally eliminated (Revelation 21:4, 22:3).

Questions for Reflection