King James Version

What Does Isaiah 60:13 Mean?

Isaiah 60:13 in the King James Version says “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of m...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 60 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.”

Isaiah 60:13 · KJV

Context

11

Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. forces: or, wealth

12

For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13

The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15

Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

Read Isaiah 60 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophecy returns to glory: "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary." Lebanon's glory was its magnificent cedars and timber (1 Kings 5:6-10), used in Solomon's temple. The three trees mentioned—berosh (fir/cypress), tidhar (pine/plane), te'ashur (box)—represent Lebanon's finest wood. These will "beautify the place of my sanctuary," meaning God's dwelling place. The verse concludes: "and I will make the place of my feet glorious." God's "footstool" refers to His throne, His dwelling, His presence (Psalm 99:5, 132:7, Lamentations 2:1). From a Reformed perspective, the physical temple typified Christ's body (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't primarily architectural but spiritual—God's presence among His people. The New Jerusalem needs no temple because God's presence fills everything (Revelation 21:22). The choicest materials represent the best of creation consecrated to God's glory and believers being living stones in His spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's temple incorporated Lebanon's finest cedars (1 Kings 5:6-10, 6:9-18), making it architecturally magnificent. The second temple, though rebuilt, lacked such glory (Ezra 3:12, Haggai 2:3). This prophecy promised restoration of glory, but not primarily through physical building. Jesus is the true temple (John 2:19-21), and believers corporately become God's dwelling through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Ephesians 2:21-22). The glory isn't cedar but the Shekinah presence of God in Christ dwelling among His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ fulfill the prophecy of beautifying God's sanctuary?
  2. In what sense are believers the 'choice materials' that beautify God's spiritual temple?
  3. What does it mean for God to make 'the place of His feet glorious' in the church age?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כְּב֤וֹד1 of 14

“The glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

הַלְּבָנוֹן֙2 of 14

“of Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

אֵלַ֣יִךְ3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָב֔וֹא4 of 14

“shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְּר֛וֹשׁ5 of 14

“unto thee the fir tree”

H1265

a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)

תִּדְהָ֥ר6 of 14

“the pine tree”

H8410

enduring; a species of hard-wood or lasting tree (perhaps oak)

וּתְאַשּׁ֖וּר7 of 14

“and the box”

H8391

a species of cedar (from its erectness)

יַחְדָּ֑ו8 of 14

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

לְפָאֵר֙9 of 14

“to beautify”

H6286

to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

וּמְק֥וֹם10 of 14

“and I will make the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י11 of 14

“of my sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

וּמְק֥וֹם12 of 14

“and I will make the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

רַגְלַ֖י13 of 14

“of my feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

אֲכַבֵּֽד׃14 of 14

“glorious”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 60:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 60:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:2Psalms 132:71 Chronicles 28:2Psalms 96:6Hosea 14:6-7Isaiah 66:1

Places in This Verse

LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
View all places in Isaiah 60 →

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