Bible Strands
Isaiah 60:8
Who are these who fly like clouds, like doves to their shelters?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses Zion in a prophetic oracle concerning the future restoration and gathering of nations to Jerusalem. The passage occurs within a broader vision detailing how foreign flocks, ships, and peoples will bring tribute and worshippers to the restored city.
The words — The Hebrew term תְּעוּפֶ֑ינָה (te'ufenah) literally means "they fly," paired with אֲרֻבֹּתֵי (arubotey), meaning "their shelters" or "openings." These words frame the rhetorical question about the origin of a sudden, large-scale movement.
The thread — The motif of widespread gathering appears in Revelation 7:9, which depicts a countless multitude from every nation standing before the throne. Luke 13:29 notes people coming from all directions to recline in God's kingdom, while Isaiah 49:21 poses a rhetorical question about the origin of children without describing distant peoples gathering.
Why it lands — The text asks the reader to recognize the unexpected, rapid return of dispersed people to God, using the natural imagery of birds swiftly moving to their nests. It demands an acknowledgment of God's active role in gathering the scattered rather than relying on human planning.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Cross-references
- Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
- Luke 13:29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
- Isaiah 49:21 Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’”
- Isaiah 60:4 Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm.
- Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
- Genesis 8:8 Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.
- Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.