Isaiah 60:20

20 Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

Isaiah 60:20 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 60:20

Thy sun shall no more go down
This is a different sun from the former; this is the church's sun, and no other than the sun of righteousness, Christ Jesus; who has his risings and settings now, at least, in the apprehensions of his people; he sometimes withdraws himself, and is gone; and then returns again: but so it will not be in this state: the saints shall be for ever with him, and he shall be for ever with them; who will always behold his glory, and be enlightened by him; see ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ) : neither shall thy moon withdraw itself;
or, "shall not be gathered" {i}, under a cloud; or "fail" ^F11, as the Septuagint version; or, "suffer a defect", as the Arabic version; as the moon does when in the wane, or is eclipsed. This may refer to this then present state of the church, which shall not fail; and to the blessings and comforts of it from Christ the sun, which will not cease, the enjoyment of them be ever interrupted. The Targum is,

``thy kingdom shall cease no more, and thy glory shall not be removed;''

and so Maimonides ^F12 interprets it of the kingdom of the Messiah, that shall endure for ever: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light;
this is repeated for the confirmation of it: and the days of thy mourning shall be ended
^F13; or, "completed"; shall be fully up, and so at an end: or, "shall be recompensed" ^F14; with an everlasting day of joy and pleasure; there will now be no more sin to distress the saints; no more temptations of Satan to annoy them; no more afflictions either of body or mind to trouble them; no more pain, or crying, or death; and so no more mourning; sorrow and sighing will flee away; all tears will be wiped from their eyes; and everlasting joy be upon their heads; see ( Revelation 21:4 ) ( Isaiah 35:10 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Poay) "non colligetur", Montanus, Vitringa; "vel recolligetur", Vatablus; "occultabitur", Munster, Tigurine version.
F11 (ouk ekleiqein) , Sept. "deficiet", Pagninus.
F12 Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 29. p. 263.
F13 (wmlv) "completi erunt", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "completisunt", Vitringa.
F14 "Compensabuntur", Tigurine version.

Isaiah 60:20 In-Context

18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

19 No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.

20 Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

21 Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.

22 The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.