Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

ISAIAH 60:20KJV
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Isaiah 60:20 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 60:20 mean?

Isaiah 60:20 promises that there will come a time when sorrow and darkness are gone, because the LORD Himself will be a never-ending source of light and comfort for His people. The verse uses the image of the sun and moon never setting or fading to show that God’s presence will bring lasting joy and the end of mourning.

In this chapter, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel about a future time of restoration and hope after hardship and exile. The language is poetic, describing a transformation where God’s light replaces all other sources of brightness, and grief is permanently removed. The verse assures the listeners that God’s care and presence will be constant and unbroken.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 60:20

  • "Everlasting" (עֹולָם, ʿolam): This word means something enduring or perpetual, not just a long time but without end. Here, it emphasizes that God’s light and comfort are not temporary but will last forever.
  • "Light" (אוֹר, or): This word means more than just physical light; it often stands for life, blessing, and God’s favor. The promise is not just about brightness, but about God’s goodness and presence.
  • "Mourning" (אֵבֶל, evel): This word refers to deep grief or lamentation, often for loss or hardship. The verse promises that such sorrow will be completely finished, not just lessened.
  • "Ended" (שָׁלֵם, shalam): This word means to be completed or made whole. The idea is that the time of mourning will be fully brought to a close, with nothing left unfinished.

Why Isaiah 60:20 matters

  • Isaiah 60:20 clears up the idea that God’s comfort is only for a season; the verse stresses that God’s presence and joy are permanent and unending.
  • The verse highlights the shift from relying on created things (sun and moon) to relying directly on God Himself as the source of all light and hope.
  • In the context of Isaiah 60, this verse is part of a larger vision of restoration and glory for God’s people, showing that their suffering is not the end of the story.

Where else these words appear

“moon” Hebrew H3391 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
  • 1 Kings 6:38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
  • Job 7:3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

“mourning” Hebrew H60 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
  • Esther 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Jeremiah 16:7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

“ended” Hebrew H7999 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
  • 1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
  • Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

“light” Hebrew H216 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
  • Job 36:30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
  • Isaiah 5:30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.