King James Version

What Does Isaiah 60:21 Mean?

Isaiah 60:21 in the King James Version says “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 60 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

Isaiah 60:21 · KJV


Context

19

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

20

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

21

Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

22

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The chapter's climax describes the citizens: "Thy people also shall be all righteous." The comprehensiveness is striking—kulam (all)—not partially but entirely righteous. "They shall inherit the land for ever." This echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 13:15, 17:8) but extends to eternal inheritance (Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13). The means of production follows: "the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." Three metaphors: (1) "branch" (netser)—organic growth from divine planting; (2) "planting"—God cultivated them; (3) "work of my hands"—divine craftsmanship. The purpose: "that I may be glorified." From a Reformed perspective, this teaches sovereign grace and divine glory. The people's righteousness isn't self-achieved but results from God's planting and forming—He plants faith, cultivates holiness, perfects righteousness (Philippians 1:6). The comprehensive righteousness points to imputed righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and completed sanctification in glorification (1 John 3:2, Jude 24). God's glory is the ultimate purpose—all redemptive work serves His praise (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Israel was a mixed multitude—some faithful, many compromising (Ezra 9:1-2, Nehemiah 13:23-27, Malachi 1:6-14). Universal righteousness seemed impossible. The prophecy looked beyond ethnic Israel to the true Israel—elect from all nations who inherit eternal life through faith in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:7-9, 29). The church is God's planting (1 Corinthians 3:6-9), His workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10), destined for complete righteousness at glorification (Romans 8:29-30).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that all God's people will be righteous relate to imputed and imparted righteousness?
  2. What does it mean that we are 'the branch of His planting' and 'the work of His hands'?
  3. How does the purpose 'that I may be glorified' shape our understanding of salvation's ultimate goal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְעַמֵּךְ֙1 of 11

Thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כֻּלָּ֣ם2 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צַדִּיקִ֔ים3 of 11

also shall be all righteous

H6662

just

לְעוֹלָ֖ם4 of 11

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

יִ֣ירְשׁוּ5 of 11

they shall inherit

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אָ֑רֶץ6 of 11

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נֵ֧צֶר7 of 11

the branch

H5342

a shoot; figuratively, a descendant

מַטָּעַ֛ו8 of 11

of my planting

H4302

something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting

מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה9 of 11

the work

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יָדַ֖י10 of 11

of my hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְהִתְפָּאֵֽר׃11 of 11

that I may be glorified

H6286

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


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 60:21 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 60:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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