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Isaiah 42:4,10
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law…

Isaiah 49:1
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Isaiah 51:5
My righteousnessis near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

the ships

Isaiah 2:16
And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

1 Kings 22:48
Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

thy sons

Isaiah 60:4
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 atthy side.

Psalm 68:30,31
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people,till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the peoplethat delight in war…

Zechariah 14:14
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

unto

Exodus 33:19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Exodus 34:5-7
And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD…

Joshua 9:9
And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

because

Isaiah 14:1,2
For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob…

Isaiah 43:4
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Isaiah 52:1-6
Awake, 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…

with the ships of Tarshish in the lead
Tarshish is often associated with wealth and maritime trade, possibly referring to a location in the western Mediterranean, such as modern-day Spain. The mention of "ships of Tarshish" indicates the involvement of powerful and wealthy nations in God's plan. Historically, these ships were known for their long voyages and valuable cargo, symbolizing the bringing of resources and people to God's service. This can also be seen as a type of the Gentile nations coming to the light of Israel, as prophesied inIsaiah 60:3.

to bring your children from afar
This phrase highlights the return of the exiles to Israel, a recurring theme in Isaiah. It signifies the gathering of God's people from distant lands, fulfilling prophecies of restoration and unity (Isaiah 11:12). This return is not just physical but also spiritual, as it represents a renewed relationship with God. It can also be seen as a type of the ultimate gathering of believers to Christ, as mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 24:31).

with their silver and gold
The mention of silver and gold emphasizes the wealth and honor that will accompany the return of God's people. These precious metals symbolize the value and glory that the nations will bring to God, reflecting the wealth of the nations being consecrated to Him. This can be connected to the prophecy inHaggai 2:7-8, where the treasures of all nations are brought to fill God's house with glory.

to the honor of the LORD your God
This phrase underscores the purpose of the gathering and the wealth: to honor God. It reflects the ultimate goal of all creation, which is to glorify the Creator. The honor given to God through the return of His people and the wealth of the nations signifies the acknowledgment of His supremacy and holiness. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's glory being revealed to all nations (Psalm 96:3).

the Holy One of Israel
This title for God emphasizes His unique and set-apart nature. It is a frequent designation in Isaiah, highlighting God's covenant relationship with Israel and His moral perfection. The holiness of God is a central theme in the Bible, calling His people to reflect His character (Leviticus 19:2). This title also points to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, as He acts on their behalf.

for He has glorified you
The glorification of Israel is a result of God's action and favor. It signifies the restoration and exaltation of God's people, reflecting His faithfulness to His covenant. This glorification is not for Israel's sake alone but serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness, drawing all nations to Him. It can also be seen as a type of the glorification of the Church, the spiritual Israel, as believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:30).

The phrase pictures distant coastlands—peoples seemingly beyond the edge of the map—standing in eager expectation of God’s next move. In Isaiah, “islands” are shorthand for Gentile nations (Isaiah 42:4; 51:5). Here they are not resisting the Lord’s plan for Zion but leaning forward, waiting to participate. The scene anticipates the worldwide acknowledgment that Israel’s God alone reigns, just asPsalm 98:7 invites the “roaring sea and all that fills it” to celebrate Him.

Tarshish was famed for deep-water merchant fleets that carried luxury goods (1 Kings 10:22). By mentioning these ships first, Isaiah highlights both speed and prominence. The best maritime power of the day is pictured volunteering its resources for God’s agenda, echoingPsalm 72:10, where “the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute.” Commerce is no longer self-serving; it bears God’s people and their cargo home.

God promises a literal, physical return of Jewish exiles to their land. Earlier prophecies said the same (Isaiah 11:11-12; 43:5-6). This regathering is comprehensive—“from afar” captures every longitude, affirming that no diaspora outpost is beyond His reach. Jesus echoed the certainty of this ingathering when He spoke of a future worldwide trumpet call that gathers the elect (Matthew 24:31).

The returning sons and daughters do not come back empty-handed. Just as Israel left Egypt enriched (Exodus 12:35-36) and later returned from Babylon with Persian backing (Ezra 1:4-11), so the final return will be financed by the nations.Haggai 2:7-8 foretells a day when “the treasures of all the nations will come,” underscoring that every ounce of wealth ultimately belongs to the Lord and will be redirected for His glory in Zion.

The procession’s goal is worship, not tourism. The wealth and the people converge on Jerusalem “to the honor of the LORD,” fulfillingIsaiah 2:3 where nations say, “Let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.”Revelation 21:24 echoes the scene: “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Everything culminates in God’s praise.

Isaiah loves this title; it welds God’s moral perfection (“Holy One”) to His covenant loyalty (“of Israel”). His uniqueness guarantees the promise. Because He is holy, He cannot lie; because He is Israel’s, He will not abandon. SeeIsaiah 41:14 and 43:3 for the same reassuring blend of majesty and intimacy.

Zion herself becomes radiant because God has placed His glory upon her (Isaiah 60:1-2). The transformation is so complete that the nations perceive it and respond.Zephaniah 3:19-20 foretells a similar elevation: “I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.” God’s glorifying work in His people draws worship from the world—a cycle of blessing that starts and ends with His initiative.

Isaiah 60:9 paints a vivid, literal picture of the future restoration of Israel and the global recognition of the Lord. Distant nations eagerly line up to serve God’s purpose, premier fleets deliver the scattered family home, wealth pours in, and every detail spotlights the honor of the Holy One. The prophecy assures believers that God’s covenant promises stand untouched by time and that His glory, once poured out on Zion, will magnetically draw the ends of the earth to Himself.

Ships of Tarshish.--These are, as inIsaiah 2:16, the first-class trading ships, whether trading with that country (Spain) or in the Indian Ocean. (Comp.1Kings 10:22;1Kings 22:48.) The mention of silver and gold may, therefore, point to Ophir as well as Spain.

The Holy One of Israel.--We note once more the recurrence of the characteristic Name.