Isaiah 60:21
Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַמֵּךְ֙
Thy people
H5971
וְעַמֵּךְ֙
Thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
1 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כֻּלָּ֣ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֣ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֖ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
יִ֣ירְשׁוּ
they shall inherit
H3423
יִ֣ירְשׁוּ
they shall inherit
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
5 of 11
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
מַטָּעַ֛ו
of my planting
H4302
מַטָּעַ֛ו
of my planting
Strong's:
H4302
Word #:
8 of 11
something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
9 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Cross References
Psalms 37:22For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.Matthew 15:13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.Psalms 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.Isaiah 29:23But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.Psalms 92:13Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.John 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Isaiah 45:11Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Historical Context
Post-exilic Israel was a mixed multitude—some faithful, many compromising (Ezra 9:1-2, Nehemiah 13:23-27, Malachi 1:6-14). Universal righteousness seemed impossible. The prophecy looked beyond ethnic Israel to the true Israel—elect from all nations who inherit eternal life through faith in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:7-9, 29). The church is God's planting (1 Corinthians 3:6-9), His workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10), destined for complete righteousness at glorification (Romans 8:29-30).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise that all God's people will be righteous relate to imputed and imparted righteousness?
- What does it mean that we are 'the branch of His planting' and 'the work of His hands'?
- How does the purpose 'that I may be glorified' shape our understanding of salvation's ultimate goal?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The chapter's climax describes the citizens: "Thy people also shall be all righteous." The comprehensiveness is striking—kulam (all)—not partially but entirely righteous. "They shall inherit the land for ever." This echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 13:15, 17:8) but extends to eternal inheritance (Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13). The means of production follows: "the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." Three metaphors:
The purpose: "that I may be glorified." From a Reformed perspective, this teaches sovereign grace and divine glory. The people's righteousness isn't self-achieved but results from God's planting and forming—He plants faith, cultivates holiness, perfects righteousness (Philippians 1:6). The comprehensive righteousness points to imputed righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and completed sanctification in glorification (1 John 3:2, Jude 24). God's glory is the ultimate purpose—all redemptive work serves His praise (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).