Thomas Aquinas Commentary Isaiah 60:1-22

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee; they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar; and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 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, for the name of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And foreigners shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. Thy gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive. For that nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. And the sons 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 Jehovah, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings; and thou shalt know that I, Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, desolation nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 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. The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time." — Isaiah 60:1-22 (ASV)

1. Arise, be enlightened. Here he begins to present the promise of salvation regarding three things:

1. Prosperity.
2. Joyfulness: the spirit of the Lord (chapter 61).
3. The honor of glory: for Zion’s sake (chapter 62).

2. Regarding the first point (prosperity), he does two things.

1. He describes their consolation in general, using the metaphor of light. He explains the dawn of this light: arise from your former misery; be enlightened, shining in the light of His consolation. The glory of the Lord refers to the blessings in which He appears glorious. As it is written, walk in the way by its brightness, in the presence of the light of it . Alternatively, Jerusalem is the Church, and your light is the Son of God.

   He then explains the judgment of discernment using the metaphor of perceiving by light. For behold darkness refers to the darkness of tribulation, and the peoples refers to Babylon and their other enemies. But the Lord shall arise upon you means He will be like the sun, illuminating you. As it says in Wisdom 17:20, but over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of the darkness. Alternatively, darkness can mean the darkness of unbelief and sin, and the people can mean unbelievers. In this sense, the Lord shall arise like the sun of justice, or literally, his glory will be seen in His miracles.

2. He describes the effect of this light: and the Gentiles shall walk to the knowledge of and devotion to God, seeing the benefits God has given you. They will walk in the brightness of your rising, which is like the sunrise, glowing like a star (compare to 2 Maccabees 3:1). Alternatively, in your light means in the faith of Christ, as in Revelation 21:24: the nations shall walk in the light of it.

3. Second, he describes their consolation in detail, promising two things:

1. Abundant prosperity.
2. The practice of justice: I will make your visitation peace (Isaiah 60:17).

Concerning the first point (prosperity), he does two things:

1. He describes the state of prosperity.
2. He describes the manner of restoration by which they will be returned to prosperity: who are these? (Isaiah 60:8).

Concerning the first of these (the state of prosperity), he does three things.

4. First, he promises prosperity regarding the gathering of sons, who were first scattered by captivity into different regions. He says, lift up your eyes round about. The phrase from your side refers to the regions neighboring your borders, as in Baruch 5:5: arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high: and look about towards the east, and behold your children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun.

Alternatively, this may refer to the gathering of different nations into the unity of the Church. In this interpretation, your sons are those who are stronger in faith, and your daughters are those who are weaker. From your side refers to the side of Christ, opened on the cross, from which the sacraments of salvation flowed. Or, shall suck milk refers to receiving simpler teaching.

5. Second, he promises prosperity regarding the servitude of the nations: then shall you see. The phrase when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to you refers to the traders of the sea serving you in commerce. The strength refers to kings and princes providing you with peace and tribute.

Alternatively, this refers to the conversion of the Gentiles to the Church, as in Job 22:26: then shall you abound in delights in the Almighty.

6. Third, he promises prosperity regarding an abundance of riches. This is described in two parts.

First, regarding merchandise, he describes beasts of burden. The flood of camels means an abundance like a flood of water, referring to camels on which merchandise was carried. Mystically, this signifies the rich who have turned to the faith, who carry the burden of riches and the hump of sin (see Isaiah 30:6: they carry their riches upon the shoulders of beasts). Dromedaries, which are animals smaller but faster than camels, signify nations converted swiftly to the faith. Madian and Epha are regions beyond the sea that have many of these animals.

He also describes precious merchandise: all they from Saba, a city at the farthest part of Ethiopia. This was also fulfilled in the time of Christ (Matthew 2), as it is written: the kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents (Psalms 72:10).

7. Second, he speaks of clean animals. They were granted for use as food: all the flocks of Cedar (the son of Ishmael, from whom a land rich in sheep gets its name) and the rams of Nabaioth (another son of Ishmael) shall minister to you. This means they will be granted for your use and sold to the people among you.

They were also granted for use in sacrifices: they shall be offered upon my acceptable altar, that is, an altar in which I am pleased. Mystically, the altar signifies faith; the rams, as leaders of the flock, signify the apostles and the leaders of the Churches; and the flocks signify the common people. As Haggai 2:8 says, I will fill this house with glory.

8. Note that on the words, be enlightened, O Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:1), the Church is enlightened by light in several ways:

1. The light of sacred teaching: the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light (Proverbs 6:23).
2. The light of spiritual understanding: God, who commanded the light to shine inIn. Vg.: de. DR: “out of.” the darkness, has shined in our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6).
3. The light of grace: but if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (1 John 1:7).
4. The light of glory: in your light we shall see light (Psalms 36:9).
5. The light of joy: what manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness and see not the light of heaven? .
6. The light of the divine substance: who only has immortality and inhabits light inaccessible (1 Timothy 6:16).

9. Who are these? Here he shows the way in which they will enter into this prosperity, covering three points:

1. The restoration of the city.
2. The subjection of foreign nations: and the children of them that afflict you, shall come bowing down to you (Isaiah 60:14).
3. The increase of riches: for brass I will bring gold (Isaiah 60:17).

Concerning the first point, he describes two things.

10. First, he describes the restoration of the city regarding the uniting of its inhabitants, explaining their arrival with admiration. They come as clouds, because they arrive quickly and without hindrance, and as doves to their windows, that is, to their nests, for the same reason. Alternatively, this refers to the nations that were quickly converted to the faith, as in Psalm 55:6: who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?

He then describes the help in their coming, which they received from the Gentiles. The islands wait for me refers to the various nations by the sea, and even those far off, as though subject to the choice of God’s will. The ships of the sea fromA. Vg.: in. the beginning refers to the place where they were held captive, for perhaps some returned by sea, or the Lord was able to lead them back that way. Mystically, the islands are the various nations, the ships are the churches, and in the beginning refers to the beginning of faith, as it says in Isaiah 42:4: the islands shall wait for his law.

Finally, he describes the treasure of those who come, which they carried with them: their silver. This was brought to the name, that is, for the glory and service of the Name. As Psalm 105:37 says, he brought them out with silver and gold. Mystically, silver represents the eloquence and gold the wisdom of those converted to the faith.

11. Second, he describes the restoration of the city regarding the building of its walls: and the children of strangers. This has two aspects:

1. The structures of the city.
2. The structures of the temple: the glory of Libanus (Isaiah 60:13).

Concerning the first aspect (the city's structures), he does two things.

First, he describes the rebuilding of the city: and the children of strangers shall build up your walls by providing help, and their kings, like Cyrus and Darius, by providing materials and the freedom to build. Mystically, the Gentiles build the churches of God, and their kings serve the Church, as it says in Isaiah 49:7: kings shall see.

He then adds the reason, which is divine mercy: in my wrath have I struck you, meaning, “I took you captive”; and in my reconciliation have I had mercy upon you, meaning, “liberating you.” Mystically, I have struck refers to the blinding of the Jews or their tribulations, and I have had mercy refers to the conversion of the Gentiles or the peace restored to the Church, as stated in Isaiah 54:8: in a moment of indignation have I hid my face a little while.

12. Second, he shows the security of the rebuilt city: and your gates shall be open continuously. This is because the fear of their enemies has ceased and also because of the need to accommodate those who come to worship in Jerusalem. This is so that the strength of the Gentiles may be brought to you. Mystically, the gates are the ministers who lead others into the faith and the Church, who are prepared in both prosperity and adversity to receive converts, as in Revelation 21:25: the gates thereof shall not be shut.

He then gives the reason: for the nation and the kingdom that will not serve you, shall perish. This does not seem to have been fulfilled literally, unless it is understood to refer to those Jews who recognized His dominion and were therefore revered by the people of God. Mystically, however, the meaning is clear .

13. The glory of Libanus. Here he describes the rebuilding of the temple structures. The glory of Libanus, which is the fir tree, and the box tree, and the pine tree, will come to beautify the place of my feet. “The place of my feet” is the temple, where I am adored just as kings are at their feet, as in Ezekiel 43:7: the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet. Mystically, the place signifies the Church, and the various trees signify the various faithful people who are converted to the faith.

14. And the children of them that afflict you, shall come bowing down to you. Here he shows how prosperity is acquired through the subjection of nations.

First, he describes the subjection itself: and the children of them that afflict you, shall come bowing down to you. This was fulfilled in the time of the Maccabees, who subdued many of their neighboring enemies. Mystically, this signifies the children of tyrants who once persecuted the Church, who now serve her, as it is written: until I make your enemies your footstool (Psalms 110:1). This is also related to Isaiah 1:26: after this you shall be called the city of the just.

15. Second, he gives the reason for their subjection: because you were forsaken, it is just that you should be comforted after your distress. You will be raised into the pride of ages, that is, to a height that will last for many ages. This is also mystically fitting for the Church, as it says in Tobit 3:22: after a storm you make a calm.

16. Third, he describes the benefit of their subjection: and you shall suck the milk of the Gentiles, meaning the fat of the earth shall be brought to you in merchandise and offerings. And you shall be nursed with the breasts of kings, meaning you will have the defense and aid of kings, such as the king of Tyre (Daniel 4). Mystically, milk signifies teaching for the simple, and the kings signify the apostles, as it says in Isaiah 49:23: and kings shall be your nursing fathers.

17. For brass I will bring gold. Here he describes the manner of restoration regarding riches: much greater things will be offered to the temple by kings than what was taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Mystically, this means that those who were formerly lowly are made precious in the Church, as it says in Isaiah 55:13: instead of the shrub, shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the nettle, shall come up the myrtle tree.

18. And I will make your visitation peace. Here he promises the practice of justice, first among the leaders, and second, among the people: and the days of your mourning shall be ended (Isaiah 60:20).

Concerning the leaders, he does two things. First, he comforts them with the promise of righteous leaders, touching on their justice. Visitation refers to overseers and correctors. Mystically, this concerns Christ and the apostles, as in Jeremiah 3:15: I will give you pastors according to my own heart.

Second, he describes the effect of this justice, which is the absence of wickedness: iniquity shall no more be heard in your land. This was fulfilled for a time when the laws were well observed . Alternatively, iniquity refers to idolatry. Mystically, this points to the future state of blessedness, as in Psalm 103:12: as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us.

He also describes the absence of misery: no more wasting of their fields or destruction of men crushed by their enemies. Your gates refers to the places where the people assembled for judgments. This also mystically pertains to the future state of blessedness. In that state, although the sun and moon may be much brighter than they are now, the saints will have no need of their light, as it says in Revelation 21:23: and the city has no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God has enlightened it: and the lamb is the lamp thereof.

19. He also describes the eternity of its governor: your sun, which is God, shall go down no more. As it is written, but you are always the selfsame, and your years shall not fail (Psalms 102:27).

20. And the days of your mourning shall be ended. This regards the state of the people. He describes three things.

First, he describes the end of their sadness: and the days of your mourning, meaning their captivity, shall end. Mystically, this refers to future blessedness, as in Revelation 21:4: God shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of the saints, and as it says in Isaiah 25:8: the Lord God shall wipe away tears.

Second, he describes the practice of justice: and your people shall be all just, in order to glorify me, as it says in Isaiah 43:7: every one that calls upon my name, I have created him for my glory. The promise, They shall inherit the land for ever, applies as long as they remain in justice. Mystically, however, this clearly refers to the blessed saints.

Third, he describes the increase of their descendants: the least shall become a thousand, meaning that from one man, many will be born successively, just as one nation came from Abraham. Mystically, one person from the Church will be put in charge as a leader over a nation. As the Psalm says,Perhaps this refers to Wisdom 3:7–8: “the just . . . shall judge nations.” the saints shall judge nations. The phrase in its time refers to the time of Christ, or the foreordained time. Suddenly means that all that has been said will happen as if it were not foreseen.

21. Note that on the words, who are these, that fly as clouds, and as doves? (Isaiah 60:8), the apostles are called "clouds" for four reasons:

1. Because of the fertility of the earth, which comes from rain: corn desires clouds (Job 37:11).
2. Because of the diffusion of light: the clouds spread their light (Job 37:11).
3. Because of the speed of their movement: which go round about (Job 37:12).
4. Because they fulfill the divine will: whithersoever the will of him that governs them shall lead them (Job 37:12).

22. Likewise, they are called doves for four reasons:

1. Because of their contrition of heart: mourning as doves (Nahum 2:7).
2. Because of their simplicity of life: be therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves (Matthew 10:16).
3. Because of the height or speed of their contemplation: who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? (Psalms 55:6).
4. Because of their purity of conscience: yourTui. Vg.: ejus. DR: “his.” eyes as doves (Song of Solomon 5:12); your eyes are doves’ eyes (Song of Solomon 4:1).