Isaiah Chapter 60 · Verse 4
Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
Original Language Analysis
שְׂאִֽי
Lift up
H5375
שְׂאִֽי
Lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
סָבִ֤יב
round about
H5439
סָבִ֤יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
2 of 15
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
עֵינַ֙יִךְ֙
thine eyes
H5869
עֵינַ֙יִךְ֙
thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּרְאִ֔י
and see
H7200
וּרְאִ֔י
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כֻּלָּ֖ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֖ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נִקְבְּצ֣וּ
all they gather themselves together
H6908
נִקְבְּצ֣וּ
all they gather themselves together
Strong's:
H6908
Word #:
6 of 15
to grasp, i.e., collect
יָבֹ֔אוּ
shall come
H935
יָבֹ֔אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּנַ֙יִךְ֙
to thee thy sons
H1121
בָּנַ֙יִךְ֙
to thee thy sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֵרָח֣וֹק
from far
H7350
מֵרָח֣וֹק
from far
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
10 of 15
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
יָבֹ֔אוּ
shall come
H935
יָבֹ֔אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּבְנֹתַ֖יִךְ
and thy daughters
H1323
וּבְנֹתַ֖יִךְ
and thy daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
12 of 15
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 42:6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;Isaiah 49:18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.Isaiah 43:6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Historical Context
This addressed the post-exilic community awaiting the return of Jews still scattered throughout the Persian Empire and beyond. Some returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, but many remained in diaspora. The prophecy looked beyond immediate return to the Messianic age when both scattered Jews and believing Gentiles would be gathered into one people (John 11:51-52, Acts 15:14-18). The early church saw itself fulfilling this as Jews and Gentiles united in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:14-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the vision of sons and daughters from all directions being gathered reflect God's electing love?
- What does it mean that Gentiles are 'nursed at the side' rather than being peripheral to God's purposes?
- How should the reality of the elect being gathered from all nations shape our understanding of the church?
Analysis & Commentary
The prophet commands: "Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee." This echoes Genesis 13:14-15 where God commanded Abraham to survey his inheritance. The panoramic vision encompasses gathering multitudes—God's people returning and nations streaming to Zion. "Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side" pictures the restoration of scattered Israel and the incorporation of Gentiles into the covenant community. "Nursed at thy side" (al-tsad teamannah) suggests tender care and intimacy—these are not second-class citizens but beloved children. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the ingathering of the elect—both Jews and Gentiles becoming one in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). The "sons" and "daughters" are all who come to faith, adopted into God's family (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 3:26-29). The church militant experiences partial fulfillment as converts join from all nations; the church triumphant will see complete fulfillment when the full number of the elect is gathered (Romans 11:25-26).