Old Testament

Isaiah 60:17

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold. Instead of iron, silver. Instead of wood, bronze. Instead of stones, iron. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

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.

What Isaiah 60:17 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In Isaiah 60:17, God promises to replace inferior materials with superior ones, symbolizing a transformation of the people and their circumstances. The shift from bronze to gold and iron to silver signifies a move from scarcity to abundance, reflecting God's blessings. The mention of peace as a governor and righteousness as a ruler indicates that the new order will be characterized by harmony and justice. This verse emphasizes God's commitment to elevate His people, providing them with not only material wealth but also spiritual and moral leadership. The imagery of replacing common materials with precious ones serves to illustrate the profound changes that God will bring about in the lives of His people, leading them into a new era of prosperity and divine governance. It reassures the faithful that God is actively working to improve their situation, both materially and spiritually, ensuring that peace and righteousness will guide their lives.

How to apply Isaiah 60:17 to your life

This verse encourages us to trust in God's ability to transform our lives. Just as He promises to replace the old with the new, we can seek His guidance for peace and righteousness in our own lives. Embrace change and expect God's blessings.

Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of the king setting the royal crown on the head of Esther as she kneels before his throne, while the court looks on

Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Esther

Rows of uncovered stone walls on the mound at Tel Shiloh, with no modern buildings in view.

Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Shiloh

Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Isaiah 60:17

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Isaiah 60:17

At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah

Author
Isaiah the prophet
Written
Around 700 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah and the surrounding nations

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Isaiah 60:17 mean?

Isaiah 60:17 conveys God's promise to replace inferior materials with superior ones, symbolizing a transformation in the lives of His people. This shift from bronze to gold and iron to silver represents a move from scarcity to abundance, highlighting God's blessings and the establishment of peace and righteousness.

What is the significance of peace and righteousness in Isaiah 60:17?

In Isaiah 60:17, peace is described as a governor and righteousness as a ruler, indicating that the new order will be characterized by harmony and justice. This emphasizes the importance of spiritual and moral leadership in the lives of God's people.

How does Isaiah 60:17 relate to God's promises?

Isaiah 60:17 illustrates God's commitment to elevate His people by providing not only material wealth but also spiritual guidance. The verse reassures believers that God is actively working to improve their circumstances and lead them into a new era of prosperity.

What does the imagery of replacing materials in Isaiah 60:17 represent?

The imagery of replacing common materials like bronze and iron with precious ones like gold and silver in Isaiah 60:17 represents a profound transformation. It signifies God's intention to bless His people with abundance and elevate their lives both materially and spiritually.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.