Isaiah 60:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem's people will become righteous, inheriting the land eternally as God's cultivated work.
The Context of Isaiah 60:21
People, not just place, experience permanent transformation into righteousness.
What Does Isaiah 60:21 Mean?
The verse extends restoration to the people themselves: 'Thy people also shall be all righteous.' This is comprehensive moral transformation—not scattered righteousness or partial reform, but the entire population characterized by right living. This reflects both divine forgiveness and internal spiritual renewal.
The imagery shifts to botanical: Jerusalem's people are 'the branch of my planting, the work of my hands.' God has cultivated them as a gardener plants and tends growth. They are His deliberate creation and cultivation. The purpose is explicit: 'that I may be glorified.' Their righteousness exists not for their own merit but to reflect and honor God's character and power.
Isaiah 60:21 in the Original Language
tzaddîq (צַדִּיק), 'righteous'—those who live in right relationship with God and others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 60:21
What does Isaiah 60:21 mean?
Jerusalem's people will become righteous, inheriting the land eternally as God's cultivated work.
What is the context of Isaiah 60:21?
People, not just place, experience permanent transformation into righteousness.