And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

ISAIAH 60:10KJV
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Isaiah 60:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 60:10 mean?

Isaiah 60:10 describes Jerusalem’s restoration as a change in its relationship with both God and other nations. God says that the city he struck in anger will receive his mercy, and that foreigners and their kings will help rebuild and serve it.

God speaks to Jerusalem as though the city were a person. Its walls picture a city made secure again, while the work of foreign builders gives a concrete picture of its renewal.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 60:10

  • “strangers” — נֵכָר (nekhar): The word refers to foreignness or people from outside a community. Here, the builders come from beyond Jerusalem’s own people.
  • “minister” — שָׁרַת (sharat): The word means to serve or attend to someone. In this verse, kings are pictured in the unexpected role of serving Jerusalem.

Why Isaiah 60:10 matters

  • The verse places Jerusalem’s past suffering and its restoration side by side. God says, “in my wrath I smote thee,” but then speaks of acting “in my favour.”
  • The kings’ service gives the foreign nations a different role from the one described in the preceding verse. Isaiah 60:9 pictures ships bringing Jerusalem’s children home; verse 10 pictures outsiders taking part in the city’s rebuilding.
  • The image of rebuilt walls continues into verse 11, where Jerusalem’s gates remain open to receive the wealth of nations. Together, the images picture both security and continued access.

Where else these words appear

“wrath” Hebrew H7110 · used in 29 verses

  • Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
  • 2 Chronicles 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
  • Isaiah 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

“strangers” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

“mercy” Hebrew H7355 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
  • Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
  • Jeremiah 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

“favour” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
  • Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.