Isaiah 60:6
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
תְּכַסֵּ֗ךְ
shall cover
H3680
תְּכַסֵּ֗ךְ
shall cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
H4080
מִדְיָן֙
of Midian
Strong's:
H4080
Word #:
5 of 15
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
וְעֵיפָ֔ה
and Ephah
H5891
וְעֵיפָ֔ה
and Ephah
Strong's:
H5891
Word #:
6 of 15
ephah, the name of a son of midian, and of the region settled by him; also of an israelite and of an israelitess
כֻּלָּ֖ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֖ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְּׁבָ֣א
all they from Sheba
H7614
מִשְּׁבָ֣א
all they from Sheba
Strong's:
H7614
Word #:
8 of 15
sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district
יָבֹ֑אוּ
shall come
H935
יָבֹ֑אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
זָהָ֤ב
gold
H2091
זָהָ֤ב
gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
10 of 15
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וּלְבוֹנָה֙
and incense
H3828
וּלְבוֹנָה֙
and incense
Strong's:
H3828
Word #:
11 of 15
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
יִשָּׂ֔אוּ
they shall bring
H5375
יִשָּׂ֔אוּ
they shall bring
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
12 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וּתְהִלֹּ֥ת
the praises
H8416
וּתְהִלֹּ֥ת
the praises
Strong's:
H8416
Word #:
13 of 15
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
Cross References
Psalms 72:10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.Matthew 2:11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Psalms 72:15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Judges 6:5For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.Genesis 10:7And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Philippians 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.Isaiah 61:6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.Isaiah 30:6The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Historical Context
Midian, Ephah, and Sheba were descendants of Abraham through Keturah and others (Genesis 25:1-4), but they became distinct peoples often hostile to Israel. Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-13) prefigured this prophecy. The magi from the East bringing gifts to infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12) provided symbolic fulfillment. Complete fulfillment comes as the gospel reaches Arabia and all nations, transforming former enemies into worshipers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the transformation of former enemies (like Midian) into worshipers demonstrate the gospel's power?
- What does the bringing of gold and incense by Gentiles teach about appropriate worship of Christ?
- How should material prosperity be connected to proclaiming God's praises rather than self-indulgence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy becomes specific: "The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah." These Arabian tribes would bring trade goods on camel caravans—a vivid picture of wealth flowing to Zion. "All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense." Sheba (southwestern Arabia, modern Yemen) was famous for wealth and spices. Gold and incense are royal and priestly gifts—what the magi brought to Christ (Matthew 2:11), connecting this prophecy to Messiah's worship. "And they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD." The climax isn't material wealth but worship—Gentiles proclaiming Yahweh's greatness. The Hebrew yebasser (show forth/proclaim) means announcing good news. From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the missionary expansion of the church. The elect from all nations, including former enemies, will bring their best offerings and join in worshiping the true God. The material gifts symbolize the dedication of whole lives and cultures to Christ's glory. This fulfills the Abrahamic promise that all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, 22:18, Galatians 3:8).