Isaiah 60:16
You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The imagery of "sucking the milk of nations" and "nursing at the breast of kings" isn't just about receiving wealth; it highlights an intimate, nurturing dependency. This powerful metaphor suggests that the nations and their rulers will willingly provide for God's people, contributing their very sustenance and vitality to them, which is meant to solidify their knowledge of God as their Savior and Redeemer.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where God is painting a picture of Israel's future restoration and glory. Following the assurance that their forsakenness is over and they will be eternally magnificent, this verse expands on how the nations will actively contribute to this new era. It directly follows promises of divine favor and precedes descriptions of transformed wealth and lasting peace, all pointing to a redeemed people experiencing God's powerful salvation.
Imagine a time when the wealth and resources of the world flow to God's people, not as tribute or conquest, but as a mother nourishes her child.
The verse uses a powerful metaphor: "You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings." This isn't about exploitation, but about abundant, generous provision.
Drawing from All Sources
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 60:16 is available in the Sola app.
What happens when the promises of abundance are fulfilled? It leads to a profound, undeniable knowledge of God's identity and His faithfulness.
The second part of the verse is the crucial outcome: 'and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.' The abundant provisions are not the end goal; they are the means to a greater end.
The Certainty of God's Character
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the one true God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and holiness.
mōšî‘ēk · Hebrew Noun
One who delivers or rescues others from danger, bondage, or destruction; in a biblical context, it refers to God's divine act of rescuing His people from judgment, sin, or oppression.
gō’ǎlēk · Hebrew Noun
A kinsman-redeemer is one who possesses the legal right or responsibility to buy back, restore, or avenge a relative; applied to God, it signifies His role in reclaiming His people from slavery or judgment.
’ǎbîr ya‘ǎqōḇ · Hebrew Noun phrase
An attribute of God describing His absolute power, strength, and ability to fulfill His purposes and defend His people against all adversaries.
This prophecy from Isaiah speaks of a glorious future restoration and expansion of God's people, where nations and kings will contribute to their well-being. While it found partial fulfillment with the return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple, its ultimate meaning points to a spiritual abundance and universal recognition of God's saving power that transcends any historical period, finding its fullest expression in the new covenant established through Christ.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its people and the scattering of the ten tribes.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieks Jerusalem. While the city is not captured, the event highlights Judah's vulnerability and dependence on Assyria.
605-597 BC
First and Second Babylonian Deportations
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquers Judah. The first deportation in 605 BC includes notable figures like Daniel, followed by a larger deportation in 597 BC that includes King Jehoiachin.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This marks a low point for the nation and its people.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in a new era for the exiles. This event sets the stage for their eventual return to Jerusalem.
516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
After returning from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people, with Persian support, complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This signifies a partial restoration but does not fully match the future glory envisioned in Isaiah's prophecies.
c. 5th-1st century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period and Hellenistic Influence
The Jewish people live under various foreign powers (Persian, Greek, Roman). Despite periods of relative autonomy and rebuilding, they long for a messianic restoration and a future of international prominence.
This passage uses a similar metaphor of nations and kings ministering to God's people, highlighting the idea of external support and recognition for the restored community.
Isaiah 66:12This verse continues the theme of abundant blessing, describing how God will extend peace and prosperity to his people, like a mother comforting her child, echoing the nurturing imagery of Isaiah 60:16.
Zechariah 14:14This passage speaks of the wealth and spoils of surrounding nations being taken by Jerusalem, which directly parallels the idea of 'sucking the milk of nations' in Isaiah 60:16, illustrating the tangible benefits that will come to God's people.
Revelation 21:24This New Testament passage describes the New Jerusalem where 'the nations shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it,' which is a spiritual fulfillment of the concept of nations and kings contributing to God's people found in Isaiah 60:16.
jfbIsaiah 60:16: "Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob."
- suck—Thou shalt draw to thyself and enjoy all that is valuable of the possessions of the Gentiles, &c. (Isa 49:23; 61:6; 66:11, 12).know—by the favors bestowed on thee, and through thee on the Gentiles.
henryIsaiah 60:15-22: "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."
60:15-22 We must look for the full accomplishment in times and things, exceeding those of the Old Testament church. The nations and their kings shall lay themselves out for the good of the church. Such a salvation, such a redemption, shall be wrought out for thee, as discovers itself to be the work of the Lord. Every thing shall be ch…
The imagery of "sucking the milk of nations" and "nursing at the breast of kings" isn't just about receiving wealth; it highlights an intimate, nurturing dependency. This powerful metaphor suggests that the nations and their rulers will willingly provide for God's people, contributing their very sustenance and vitality to them, which is meant to solidify their knowledge of God as their Savior and Redeemer.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where God is painting a picture of Israel's future restoration and glory. Following the assurance that their forsakenness is over and they will be eternally magnificent, this verse expands on how the nations will actively contribute to this new era. It directly follows promises of divine favor and precedes descriptions of transformed wealth and lasting peace, all pointing to a redeemed people experiencing God's powerful salvation.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where God is painting a picture of Israel's future restoration and glory. Following the assurance that their forsakenness is over and they will be eternally magnificent, this verse expands on how the nations will actively contribute to this new era. It directly follows promises of divine favor and precedes descriptions of transformed wealth and lasting peace, all pointing to a redeemed people experiencing God's powerful salvation.
"You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." — The imagery of "sucking the milk of nations" and "nursing at the breast of kings" isn't just about receiving wealth; it highlights an intimate, nurturing dependency. This powerful metaphor suggests t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
