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.

ISAIAH 60:17KJV
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Isaiah 60:17 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 60:17 mean?

Isaiah 60:17 describes a promise of transformation and blessing, where God says He will replace ordinary or lesser materials with more precious ones, and appoint peace and righteousness as leaders in the community. This verse uses the image of upgrading materials and leadership to show a future time of prosperity and justice for God’s people.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, looking ahead to a time when their city and society will be renewed after hardship. The verse paints a picture of restoration, using familiar building materials—brass, iron, wood, stones—and showing each being replaced by something more valuable. The mention of officers and exactors becoming peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) and righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah) highlights a complete change in how the community is governed, focusing on well-being and fairness.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 60:17

  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965): This word means peace, wholeness, or well-being. Here, it is used to describe the character of the new leaders, emphasizing that peace will guide the community, not just the absence of conflict but a deep sense of harmony.
  • צְדָקָה (tsedaqah, H6666): This word means righteousness or justice. The verse says the “exactors” (those who usually collect tribute or taxes) will be characterized by righteousness, suggesting a total change from oppression to fairness.
  • חָרוּשׁ (neged, H6486): Translated as “officers,” this word can refer to overseers or those in charge. The promise is that those in authority will embody peace.
  • The repeated use of “bring” (בּוֹא, bo, H935) and the exchange of materials (brass for gold, iron for silver, etc.) stress the idea of improvement and abundance, not just in physical things but in the moral and social fabric of the community.

Why Isaiah 60:17 matters

  • Isaiah 60:17 clarifies that God’s restoration is not just material but also social and ethical, promising better leadership and a just society.
  • The verse helps correct the idea that God’s blessings are only about wealth or outward prosperity; it shows that true blessing includes peace and righteousness at every level of community life.
  • In the context of Isaiah 60, this verse is part of a larger vision of hope for people who have experienced loss and exile, assuring them that their future will be marked by God’s presence and goodness in every aspect.

Where else these words appear

“exactors” Hebrew H5065 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
  • 1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait,(for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
  • Isaiah 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

“officers” Hebrew H6486 · used in 31 verses

  • Numbers 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.
  • Jeremiah 23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“brass” Hebrew H5178 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Deuteronomy 8:9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.