Isaiah Chapter 60 · Verse 19
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ע֤וֹד
H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
The sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
The sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
5 of 19
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
לְא֣וֹר
give light
H216
לְא֣וֹר
give light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
6 of 19
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וּלְנֹ֕גַהּ
neither for brightness
H5051
וּלְנֹ֕גַהּ
neither for brightness
Strong's:
H5051
Word #:
8 of 19
brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָאִ֣יר
light
H215
יָאִ֣יר
light
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
11 of 19
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
וְהָיָה
H1961
וְהָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יְהוָה֙
unto thee but the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
unto thee but the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְא֣וֹר
give light
H216
לְא֣וֹר
give light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
16 of 19
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
עוֹלָ֔ם
shall be unto thee an everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָ֔ם
shall be unto thee an everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
Revelation 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.Revelation 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Zechariah 2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.Psalms 36:9For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.Psalms 3:3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.Psalms 62:7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.Luke 2:32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Historical Context
The promise addresses the post-exilic community's disappointment. The rebuilt temple lacked the Shekinah glory cloud that filled Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). God's presence seemed diminished. This prophecy looked beyond physical manifestations to the ultimate reality: God's unmediated presence with His people. Christ's incarnation brought God's glory to earth (John 1:14), but veiled in flesh. The consummated kingdom removes all veils—God's full glory illuminates His people eternally without the mediation of sun or moon (Revelation 21:22-25).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ function as our light in the present age before the sun and moon become obsolete?
- What does it mean that God Himself is our glory, not merely the source of glory?
- How should anticipation of the beatific vision—seeing God face to face—shape our present priorities?
Analysis & Commentary
An astonishing promise: "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee." Natural luminaries become obsolete. Why? "But the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." God Himself becomes the light source—or olam (everlasting light). This transcends physical illumination to describe God's glorious presence as all-sufficient. Revelation 21:23 and 22:5 explicitly quote this verse, applying it to the New Jerusalem: "the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." From a Reformed perspective, this ultimate state represents the beatific vision—seeing God face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 22:4). All created glories pale before the Creator's glory. The sun and moon, magnificent as they are, are unnecessary when God's presence illuminates all. This is the chief end of man—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever—fully realized in eternal, unmediated fellowship with the divine glory.