Isaiah 60:9

Authorized King James Version

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Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לִ֣י׀ H0
לִ֣י׀
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 20
אִיִּ֣ים Surely the isles H339
אִיִּ֣ים Surely the isles
Strong's: H339
Word #: 3 of 20
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
יְקַוּ֗וּ shall wait H6960
יְקַוּ֗וּ shall wait
Strong's: H6960
Word #: 4 of 20
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
וָאֳנִיּ֤וֹת for me and the ships H591
וָאֳנִיּ֤וֹת for me and the ships
Strong's: H591
Word #: 5 of 20
a ship
תַּרְשִׁישׁ֙ of Tarshish H8659
תַּרְשִׁישׁ֙ of Tarshish
Strong's: H8659
Word #: 6 of 20
tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i
בָּרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה first H7223
בָּרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה first
Strong's: H7223
Word #: 7 of 20
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
לְהָבִ֤יא to bring H935
לְהָבִ֤יא to bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָנַ֙יִךְ֙ thy sons H1121
בָנַ֙יִךְ֙ thy sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֵֽרָח֔וֹק from far H7350
מֵֽרָח֔וֹק from far
Strong's: H7350
Word #: 10 of 20
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
כַּסְפָּ֥ם their silver H3701
כַּסְפָּ֥ם their silver
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 11 of 20
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וּזְהָבָ֖ם and their gold H2091
וּזְהָבָ֖ם and their gold
Strong's: H2091
Word #: 12 of 20
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
אִתָּ֑ם H854
אִתָּ֑ם
Strong's: H854
Word #: 13 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לְשֵׁם֙ with them unto the name H8034
לְשֵׁם֙ with them unto the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 14 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַ֔יִךְ thy God H430
אֱלֹהַ֔יִךְ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 16 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ and to the Holy One H6918
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ and to the Holy One
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 17 of 20
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 18 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 19 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פֵאֲרָֽךְ׃ because he hath glorified H6286
פֵאֲרָֽךְ׃ because he hath glorified
Strong's: H6286
Word #: 20 of 20
to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

Analysis & Commentary

God explains: "Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first." The "isles" (iyyim) refers to distant coastlands—the furthest reaches of the known world. "Wait" (qawah) means eager expectation, the same word used for waiting on the Lord in prayer (Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31). Even distant Gentiles will eagerly anticipate God's salvation. "Ships of Tarshish" were large merchant vessels capable of long voyages (1 Kings 10:22). Their purpose: "to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee." The ships bring both people (scattered Jews, converted Gentiles) and wealth, all dedicated "unto the name of the LORD." Everything serves His glory, for "he hath glorified thee"—God has honored Zion. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates God's sovereignty in redemption. He glorifies His church, which in turn glorifies Him. The ingathering occurs "unto the name of the LORD"—for His fame and worship. Missions serves doxology; evangelism magnifies God's glory.

Historical Context

Tarshish likely refers to distant Mediterranean ports, possibly southern Spain—representing the far west of the known world. Ships of Tarshish symbolized extensive trade and wealth (1 Kings 10:22, Jonah 1:3). The prophecy looked beyond the Persian period to when maritime nations would serve God's purposes. The spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, often following trade routes and using sea travel, fulfilled this. Paul's missionary journeys utilized sea transport (Acts 13:4, 14:26, 16:11, 18:18, 21:1-3, 27-28). The gospel's global spread continues this pattern.

Questions for Reflection

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