Forces

Forces in the Authorized Version of Isaiah 60:5, 11 translates the Hebrew chayil (or related terms), which in this context denotes not military forces but the wealth, resources, and abundance of the nations. The Revised Version renders the phrase "the wealth of the nations shall come to you" (Isaiah 60:5) — a description of the eschatological pilgrimage of Gentile peoples and their resources to the restored Jerusalem.

Isaiah 60 as a whole envisions the ingathering of scattered Israel and the nations' voluntary tribute to the LORD's city: camels from Midian and Ephah, gold and frankincense from Sheba, flocks from Kedar and Nebaioth, silver and gold from Tarshish. This vision of the nations' wealth flowing into Zion reverses the pattern of conquest and tribute in which Israel's goods went to foreign powers, and it became a touchstone for New Testament hopes about the Gentile mission: the Magi's gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2) are read in the light of this Isaianic expectation.