The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.
multitude
Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Judges 6:5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
Judges 7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
Midian
Genesis 25:4,13 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah…
all
Isaiah 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Genesis 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
Genesis 25:3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
bring
Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
they shall shew
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
1 Peter 2:5,9 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…
young camels of Midian and Ephah
Midian and Ephah were regions known for their trade and commerce. Midian, located east of the Jordan River, was historically associated with the descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4). Ephah, a son of Midian, represents a specific clan within this region. The mention of young camels from these areas highlights the participation of neighboring nations in the prosperity of Israel. This reflects the biblical theme of the nations being drawn to the light of God's people, as seen in the broader context of Isaiah 60.
and all from Sheba will come
Sheba, likely located in the region of modern-day Yemen, was famous for its wealth and trade, particularly in spices and precious goods. The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-13) is a notable biblical account that underscores Sheba's significance. The mention of Sheba here suggests a future where distant nations recognize the glory of the Lord and bring their wealth to honor Him. This can be seen as a prophetic vision of the Gentiles coming to worship the God of Israel.
bearing gold and frankincense
Gold and frankincense were valuable commodities in the ancient world, often associated with royalty and divinity. The gifts of gold and frankincense are reminiscent of the offerings brought by the Magi to Jesus in Matthew 2:11, symbolizing His kingship and divine nature. In this context, these gifts represent the nations' acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their willingness to honor Him with their treasures. This also points to the eschatological hope of all nations worshiping the Lord.
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD
The ultimate purpose of the nations bringing their wealth is to glorify God. This phrase emphasizes the theme of worship and the recognition of God's majesty by all peoples. It aligns with the prophetic vision of a future where God's glory is acknowledged universally, as seen in passages like Psalm 72:10-11 and Revelation 21:24-26. The proclamation of the Lord's praises signifies a transformation where the nations turn from idolatry to the worship of the one true God, fulfilling the mission of Israel to be a light to the nations.
• Picture a tide of commerce and movement—so many camels that they “cover” the landscape. Isaiah paints a literal scene of abundance flooding into Zion, echoing earlier promises of restored prosperity (Isaiah 54:2–3) and anticipating the nations streaming to Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2).
• Camels were the freight trucks of the ancient world (Genesis 24:10); their sheer number signals overflowing provision. God is not sending mere trickles of blessing but a convoy.
• This promise looks ahead to the millennial glory of Jerusalem when “the wealth of the nations will be brought to you” (Isaiah 60:11), fulfilling God’s covenant faithfulness in tangible, visible ways.
• Midian and Ephah are descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1–4), historically nomadic traders. Their inclusion shows God gathering even distant relatives of Israel who had wandered far from covenant life.
• Gideon once fought Midian’s camel-riding armies (Judges 7:1–7); now former foes arrive as friends, reversing past hostility and showcasing God’s power to reconcile.
• The phrase “young camels” underlines vigor and newness. The renewed earth brings lively, energetic tribute to God’s city (Isaiah 35:1–2).
• Sheba lies at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, famed for wealth and spices. The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10:1–10) foreshadows this larger pilgrimage to the greater Son of David.
• Psalm 72:10–15 links Sheba’s tribute with Messiah’s reign, and Revelation 21:24 envisions kings bringing their splendor into the New Jerusalem. The prophets speak with one voice: distant peoples will personally honor the Lord’s chosen King.
• These prized gifts represent material wealth (gold) and worship (frankincense used in temple incense, Exodus 30:34). God’s plan unites physical resources and spiritual devotion.
• Matthew 2:11 records Magi presenting the same two gifts to the infant Jesus, a preview of Isaiah 60:6’s ultimate fulfillment.
• Malachi 1:11 foretells incense offered in every place; Isaiah shows the whole earth funneling that fragrant honor toward Jerusalem.
• The procession’s climax is not economic but doxological. What good are treasures unless they lead to worship? Psalm 117:1 calls “all you nations” to praise; here they do exactly that.
• Revelation 7:9–10 echoes the scene with a multi-ethnic multitude crying, “Salvation belongs to our God.” The nations’ voices join Israel’s to magnify the Lord who kept every promise.
Isaiah 60:6 offers a concrete, literal snapshot of Zion’s future glory: roaring caravans, reconciled peoples, extravagant gifts, and global worship. God turns former adversaries into joyful pilgrims, funnels the world’s wealth into His city, and receives praise that rises like fragrant incense. The verse assures believers that every promise of restoration will be fulfilled in visible, lavish, God-exalting reality.
(6) The multitude of camels . . .--The verse paints the commerce of the East, as Isaiah 60:5 had described that of the West. For the camels and riches of Midian, see Judges 6:5; Judges 8:26. "Ephah" appears in Genesis 25:4 among the sons of Midian. "Sheba" keeps up its traditional fame for gold and incense (Psalm 72:10; Strabo xvi. 4, 19).Verse 6. - The multitude of camels; rather, a multitude - a continual stream of caravans (Kay). These would be composed of merchants from Midian and Ephah, and would bring goods from Sheba. The Midianite caravans of camels are mentioned as early as the time of Jacob, when they carried "spicery and balm and myrrh" from the land of Gilead into Egypt (Genesis 37:25, 28, 36). Ephah is a sub-tribe of Midian (Genesis 25:4). These nomads would visit the distant Sheba, in Happy Arabia, for purposes of trade, and would procure there gold and incense, which they would convey to Palestine. The "Sheba" intended is doubtless that whose queen visited Solomon, and brought with her gold in abundance, and "of spices very great store, and precious stones" (1 Kings 10:10). The Egyptians appear to have called the kingdom of the Shebaim (Sabaeans) "Punt," and to have traded with it from a very early time, especially for frankincense (' Records of the Past,' vol. 10. pp. 14-19; Rawlinson, 'History of Ancient Egypt,' vol. it. pp. 132-134, 221-224). The dromedaries; rather, the young camels, or the camel colts. All they from Sheba shall come; rather, they (i.e. the camels of Midian and Ephah) shall come all together from Sheba.