Isaiah 11 13

Isaiah 11:13 kjv

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

Isaiah 11:13 nkjv

Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, And the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, And Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

Isaiah 11:13 niv

Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be destroyed; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim.

Isaiah 11:13 esv

The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

Isaiah 11:13 nlt

Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end.
They will not be rivals anymore.

Isaiah 11 verses

Isaiah 11 13 meaning

Isaiah 11:13 prophesies a future era of profound peace and reunification for God's chosen people, specifically addressing the long-standing and bitter animosity between the northern kingdom of Israel (represented by Ephraim) and the southern kingdom of Judah. Under the righteous reign of the Messiah, the deep-seated jealousy of Ephraim towards Judah will cease, and Judah's historical hostility and oppressive actions or experiences against Ephraim will likewise come to a complete end. This double-negation in the latter half of the verse ("Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim") powerfully affirms a complete and irreversible reconciliation, signifying the cessation of centuries of internal strife and division, giving way to a truly united people living in harmony.

Isaiah 11 13 Context

Isaiah chapter 11 opens with the profound prophecy of the Messiah, depicted as a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (Isa 11:1). This divine ruler, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, will reign with perfect righteousness, wisdom, and justice. His rule will usher in a period of unprecedented peace, extending even to the natural world, where predatory and prey animals coexist in harmony (Isa 11:6-9). This Messianic reign leads to a second exodus, where God will gather His dispersed people, Israel and Judah, from all corners of the earth (Isa 11:10-12). It is within this glorious vision of restoration that verse 13 addresses the internal healing within the nation. For centuries, since the split after Solomon's reign, the two kingdoms had been rivals, often at war or bitter antagonists. This historical context of deep-seated division highlights the radical nature of Isaiah's prophecy: a future where the animosity between Ephraim (representing the Northern Kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria by the time Isaiah’s full book was likely compiled) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom, which would later fall to Babylon) is completely eradicated by divine intervention, culminating in a united and peaceful people under their Messiah.

Isaiah 11 13 Word analysis

• Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם - Ephrayim): One of the dominant tribes descended from Joseph; consistently used by the prophets as a representative term for the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. Its prominence signaled the military and political strength of the north, but also frequently became a byword for its idolatry and rebellion against God, contributing to the historical rift with Judah.
• jealousy (קִנְאַת - qin'at): This word signifies a strong, passionate emotion, often envy or zealous rivalry. In this context, it describes the contentious spirit and animosity that Ephraim harbored towards Judah, rooted in historical power struggles, perceived injustices, and competing religious/political centers. This "jealousy" manifested in frequent border disputes, alliances with foreign powers against Judah, and internal instability.
• will vanish (וְסָרָה - v'sarah): From the root sur, meaning "to turn aside," "depart," or "cease." It implies a complete and definitive removal, suggesting that this divisive emotion will be entirely eradicated from Ephraim. It is not merely suppressed but permanently gone.
• Judah (יְהוּדָה - Yehudah): The preeminent tribe of the Southern Kingdom, from which David's lineage and the Messianic King would arise. It was the inheritor of God's covenant promises and the keeper of the Temple in Jerusalem, but also not without its own shortcomings.
• hostility (וְצָרֵי יְהוּדָה יִכָּרֵתוּ - v'tsarei Yehudah yikkaratu and וִיהוּדָה לֹא יָצַר אֶת אֶפְרָיִם - vi-Yehudah lo yatsar et Ephrayim): This is a nuanced phrase. The first occurrence (tsarei Yehudah) literally translates as "the adversaries/distress of Judah." In parallel with "Ephraim's jealousy," many translations interpret this as referring to internal antagonism or a state of affliction arising from mutual strife. It can mean either Judah's experience of being harassed by Ephraim, or Judah's own oppressive actions towards Ephraim being cut off, or both. The second part, lo yatsar et Ephrayim (Judah will not yatsar Ephraim), uses the verbal form from the root tzarar, which means "to vex," "to press," "to harass," or "to act as an adversary." This clearly defines Judah's role in actively causing trouble for Ephraim, completing the picture of bilateral animosity.
• will be cut off (יִכָּרֵת - yikkaret): A strong verb denoting utter destruction, severance, or being completely removed. Its use here indicates the definitive end of whatever affliction or animosity tsarei Yehudah implies, signifying that Judah’s state of trouble or its troubling behavior towards Ephraim will be thoroughly abolished.

Words-Group Analysis:

• Ephraim's jealousy will vanish: This clause addresses the specific source of tension from the northern perspective. It highlights that the deep-seated envy, resentment, and competitive spirit characteristic of Ephraim against Judah will be supernaturally removed. This speaks to a radical transformation of heart and attitude.
• and Judah's hostility will be cut off: This part describes the reciprocal aspect, or the effect of the ongoing conflict from Judah's side. Interpreted broadly as either Judah's internal strife/adversaries being eliminated or Judah's own aggressive, harassing actions being stopped. Together with the first part, it points to a mutual cessation of destructive patterns that characterized the divided kingdom.
• Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim: This second half of the verse functions as an emphatic restatement, using direct negation to confirm the permanent and reciprocal end of antagonism. This repetition reinforces the complete transformation of the relationship between the two long-divided parts of God's people, establishing a future where peace and unity are not just present but are the definitive absence of their former strife.

Isaiah 11 13 Bonus section

The historical animosity between Ephraim and Judah was not merely political but often had theological dimensions, particularly after Jeroboam established idolatrous worship centers in the north (Bethel and Dan) in opposition to Jerusalem. Therefore, the promised reunification under the Messiah in Isaiah 11:13 implies not only political harmony but also a unified worship and spiritual allegiance, returning to the singular God of Israel and His chosen sanctuary. This internal unity is also foundational for the nation's restored testimony to the world, fulfilling God's original purpose for Israel to be a light to the nations (Isa 11:10). The future reconciliation, then, also carries a profound spiritual component that extends beyond simple non-aggression to a complete unity of purpose and worship.

Isaiah 11 13 Commentary

Isaiah 11:13 delivers a profound promise of reconciliation and unity for a people long fractured by division. It transcends mere political agreement, portraying a supernatural healing of the deep-seated emotional and spiritual wounds that separated Ephraim and Judah for centuries. Under the Messianic king, the divisive forces of jealousy, rivalry, and open hostility that defined their relationship will be utterly extinguished. This vision speaks to God's ultimate intention to gather His scattered people and to remove all internal strife, forging a truly unified and harmonious nation under a single, righteous ruler. This radical reconciliation underscores the transformative power of God's future kingdom, where even the most ingrained human animosities are healed, paving the way for complete national and spiritual restoration. It is a powerful message that a peace so complete that it even mends ancient grievances is only possible through God's anointed King.