Isaiah 60:21 · Bible study
Isaiah 60:21 Commentary: The Righteous People of God's Planting
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How does Isaiah 60:21 describe the people of God as all righteous, inheriting the land forever, as God's planting for his glory?
Research Summary
- Meaning: God’s redeemed people, made completely righteous, will inherit the land forever as God’s planting for His glory.
- Key words: nētser (branch/sprout), matta' (planting), ma'aseh (work), l'hitpa'er (to glorify Himself).
- Main debate: Whether this describes a present spiritual condition, a future millennial kingdom, or the eternal new heavens and earth.
- Theological theme: Divine redemption leads to a holy community with an eternal inheritance, all for God’s glory.
- Best use: Teaching the hope of final restoration and the goal of redemption: God’s glory in His people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And thy people are all of them righteous, To the age they possess the earth, A branch of My planting, A work of My hands, to be beautified.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall possess the land for ever — the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And thy people shall be all just, they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hand to glorify me.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y tu pueblo, todos ellos serán justos, para siempre heredarán la tierra; renuevos de mi plantío, obra de mis manos, para glorificarme.
E todos os de teu povo serão justos; para sempre terão posse da terra; serão renovo de minha plantação, obra de minhas mãos, para que eu seja glorificado.
Il n’ y aura plus que des justes parmi ton peuple,
Und dein Volk sollen eitel Gerechte sein; sie werden das Erdreich ewiglich besitzen, als die der Zweig meiner Pflanzung und ein Werk meiner Hände sind zum Preise.
En uw volk zullen allen te zamen rechtvaardigen zijn, zij zullen in eeuwigheid de aarde erfelijk bezitten; zij zullen zijn een spruit Mijner plantingen, een werk Mijner handen, opdat Ik verheerlijkt worde.
Il tuo popolo sarà tutto quanto un popolo di giusti; essi possederanno il paese in perpetuo: essi, che sono il rampollo da me piantato, l’opera delle mie mani, da servire alla mia gloria.
Lud także twój, którzybykolwiek byli sprawiedliwi, na wieki odziedziczą ziemię; będą latoroślą szczepienia mego, dziełem rąk moich, abym w niem był uwielbiony.
И народ твой весь будет праведный, на веки наследует землю, - отрасль насаждения Моего, дело рук Моих, к прославлению Моему.
你的居民 都 成為義人，永遠 得 地 為業；是我種 的栽子，我手 的工作，使我得榮耀。
Your people will all be upright, the land will be their heritage for ever; the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, to be for my glory.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Isaiah 60:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Isaiah 60:21 promises a community made completely righteous by God. The Hebrew verb yir'shu (“they will possess”) is Qal imperfect, indicating ongoing future possession. Barnes and Gill both note that the church’s members in the present age are not all righteous (Judas, Ananias, the tares among the wheat), but in the final state every member will be so. Keil and Delitzsch describe the vision as “the church of the new Jerusalem consists of none but righteous ones.” The infinitive l'hitpa'er (“to glorify myself”) is reflexive, God beautifies Himself by what He does for His people. The main point of agreement is that this verse depicts a purified people who inherit God’s land forever as the crown of His creative work.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Present spiritual condition (amillennial): The church already consists of the righteous in Christ, and 'the land' represents the new creation or heaven, with the verse describing the eternal state.
- Future millennial kingdom (premillennial): The branch imagery (Isaiah 11:1) and land inheritance (Isaiah 49:8, 54:3) fit a restored Israel in a literal thousand-year reign.
- Eternal new heavens and earth (majority): The context of Isaiah 60-66 moves toward a new creation; 'forever' (olam) suggests an everlasting state, and the people are made perfectly righteous.
What is clear: God will have a people who are completely righteous, dwelling securely in His land, bringing Him glory — this much is not disputed.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of righteousness | Righteousness is a gift from God, not self-attained. It includes both imputed and imparted righteousness in the final state. | Protestants tend to emphasize imputed righteousness as the basis; Catholics and Orthodox also stress inherent righteousness through grace. Some (e.g., Gill) see sinless perfection in the future age. |
| Timing of fulfillment | The ultimate fulfillment lies in the age to come, not fully realized in this present era. | Views range from present spiritual condition (some Reformed), a future millennial kingdom (some dispensationalists), to the eternal new heavens and earth (majority of commentators). |
| Identity of 'your people' | In context, 'your people' refers to the restored Jerusalem community, but extends to all God’s redeemed. | Some limit it to ethnic Israel in a future millennial kingdom; others see it as the church (both Jewish and Gentile believers). |
| The land to be inherited | The land is a gift of God’s promise, secure and permanent. | Literal land of Canaan (some premillennialists), the entire earth (postmillennialists and amillennialists), or the new heavens and new earth (many traditional interpreters). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Isaiah 60 sits within the final section of the book (chapters 60, 66), a vision of Jerusalem’s restoration after exile. The chapter opens with light rising over the city and closes with the promise of a new heaven and new earth (Isaiah 66:22). In verse 21, the people are called “the branch of my planting”, the word nētser (branch) is the same one used in Isaiah 11:1 for the shoot from Jesse, but here it applies to the entire redeemed community as God’s cultivated growth. “The work of my hands” echoes earlier passages such as
and“Yahweh of Armies has blessed them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’”
— Isaiah 19:25 (WEB)
The land ('erets) has multiple possible referents: the land of Canaan, the whole earth, or the new creation. The promise “they shall inherit the land forever” directly recalls“But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they will sanctify my name.”
— Isaiah 29:23 (WEB)
and“But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
— Psalms 37:11 (WEB)
This verse points to a future where God’s people are so thoroughly remade that their character matches their dwelling place.“For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.”
— Psalms 37:22 (WEB)
Textual Notes
The Masoretic Text notes a variant between the Kethib (written) and Keri (read). The Kethib reads מַטָּעוֹ or מַטָּעָו (probably “his planting”), while the Keri reads מַטָּעַי (“my plantings”). Most Hebrew manuscripts and early versions (Syriac, Targum, Vulgate) support the Keri reading, which is adopted by modern translations (WEB, ESV, NASB). Adam Clarke reports that forty-four manuscripts follow the Keri. The word nētser (“branch”) appears only here in Isaiah 60:21 as a description of the people; elsewhere in Isaiah it is used for the Davidic shoot (11:1) and a dead branch (14:19).
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, this verse has been read as a description of the Messianic age when Israel will be wholly righteous and live securely in the land. The Targum Jonathan interprets it as referring to the righteous who will inherit the world to come. In Christian history, early church fathers (e.g., Augustine) applied the verse to the church in its glorified state. Medieval interpreters linked “the branch of my planting” to the faithful as God’s cultivated vineyard. Reformers such as Calvin saw the righteousness as imputed through Christ. Modern interpreters across traditions often see both an already/not-yet dimension: the church is declared righteous now, but the full realization of sinlessness and eternal inheritance awaits the new creation.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- A People Made Righteous, The promise does not say the people make themselves righteous. They are “the branch of my planting.” God is the gardener; He produces the righteous character. This offers hope for every congregation that struggles with sin.
- A Land That Lasts, Inheritance in the Old Testament was tied to geography, but here “the land” expands to an eternal possession. The imperfect verb suggests continuous, secure tenure. No exile will happen again.
- A Purpose Wrapped in Glory, The final phrase “that I may be glorified” is not an afterthought. It is the goal of the whole process. God’s glory and our good are not in competition.
Five-Point Outline
- The People: “All your people … all righteous”, a complete, universal righteousness granted by God.
- The Inheritance: “They will possess the land forever”, unending, secure tenure in God’s presence.
- The Origin: “The branch of my planting”, the community originates from God’s sovereign cultivation.
- The Means: “The work of my hands”, God personally fashions this people.
- The Goal: “That I may be glorified”, God is the beginning, end, and delight of redemption.
Illustration Hooks
- A greenhouse: A gardener selects seeds, prepares soil, waters and prunes. The flourishing plants bring the gardener credit. God cultivates His people to display His skill.
- A family heirloom: A craftsman spends years building a piece of furniture, then gives it as an inheritance. The gift reflects the giver’s love and skill.
- A restored house: After a storm destroys a home, the owner rebuilds it into something stronger and more beautiful. The restored house shows the owner’s power and care.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- “If I still struggle with sin, can I really be counted among the ‘all righteous’?”
- “Does this promise apply to me, or only to the Jewish people?”
- “How can I live now in a way that reflects this future reality?”
Leading a Discussion
This verse gives a breathtaking picture of what God plans for His people: complete righteousness, a permanent home, and His glory as the goal. As you discuss, help each other see how this future hope shapes the way we live today.
Discussion Questions
- Read the verse in several translations. Which phrase stands out to you most, and why?
- What does it mean to be “all righteous”? How does this promise address the reality of sin in our lives?
- The people are called “the branch of my planting.” What does this image suggest about how righteousness is produced in us?
- “The work of my hands” emphasizes God’s personal involvement. How does this affect your view of your own growth in holiness?
- The phrase “that I may be glorified” can feel uncomfortable. How does God’s glory connect to our good?
- How does the promise of inheriting the land forever change the way you think about your current struggles or losses?
- What is one way this week you can live out the reality that you belong to God’s planting?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 37:11 | But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. |
| Psalms 37:22 | For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off. |
| Psalms 92:13 | They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts. |
| Isaiah 4:3 | It will happen that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem, |
| Isaiah 4:4 | when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from within it, by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning. |
| Isaiah 19:25 | because Yahweh of Armies has blessed them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” |
| Isaiah 29:23 | But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they will sanctify my name. Yes, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. |
| Isaiah 43:7 | everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Of my planting - מטעי mattai; so, with the Keri, read forty-four MSS. (seven ancient) and six editions; with which agree the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads the promise of inheriting the land as the church possessing everything God has grown and accomplished through Christ. The fruit of the Redeemer's own self-denial and work becomes the believer's inheritance, and God is glorified when His people enjoy the full abundance He has provided.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator stresses that the community described consists solely of righteous people, who will permanently possess the land, with God glorified in them. He notes that "inherit" is better rendered as "possess," and clarifies that "branch" strictly means a "shoot," as used elsewhere in Isaiah.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Thy people also shalbe all righteous: they shall possesse the land for euer, the grasse of my planting shalbe the worke of mine handes, that I may be glorified.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill distinguishes between the church in the present age, which always includes hypocrites, and the church during Christ's personal reign, when every member will be righteous both by imputation and inherently. Only then will the saints perfectly inherit the land and glorify God as His own workmanship.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reads the verse as a chain of Old and New Testament connections. Each phrase—"all righteous," "inherit the land," "branch of my planting," "work of my hands," and "that I may be glorified"—is cross-referenced to show how God's work in converted Israel fulfills earlier promises and finds its final purpose in His glory.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch emphasizes that the redeemed church consists entirely of righteous people cleansed from guilt and kept from sinning. Their eternal possession of the land is secure because they are a “sprout” from God’s own gracious planting, created specifically to bring Him glory.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees this prophecy as pointing primarily to the Christian church and its spiritual peace, yet also as a type of the brief outward peace Israel enjoyed after the exile. The contrast matters most: the church was once despised and forsaken, but God promises to make her an eternal excellency and joy.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the branch not as an individual but as God's people, the ones He has planted and shaped by His own hands. For him, the image stresses that believers are entirely God's work, both in origin and in formation.