Isaiah 11:7 kjv
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:7 nkjv
The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:7 niv
The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:7 esv
The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:7 nlt
The cow will graze near the bear.
The cub and the calf will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like a cow.
Isaiah 11 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 11:6 | The wolf will dwell with the lamb... | Fulfillment of Messianic prophecy |
| Gen 3:15 | And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers | First mention of redemption's promise |
| Psa 2:1-3 | Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? | Earthly powers against God's Anointed |
| Psa 72:1-7 | Give the king your justice, O God... | Description of Solomon's reign |
| Psa 98:7-9 | Let the sea roar and all that fills it... the rivers clap their hands... | Universal praise and judgment |
| Jer 31:31-34 | Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant | The New Covenant's peace |
| Hos 2:18 | And I will make for them a covenant... against the beasts of the field. | Covenant of peace with creation |
| Zech 8:10 | For before these days there was no wage for man or for beast... | Restoration and peace promised |
| Zech 14:8-9 | On that day living waters shall flow from Jerusalem... LORD shall be king over all the earth | Messianic age, universal reign |
| Rom 8:19-22 | For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. | Creation's groaning and hope |
| 1 Cor 15:24 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every ruler and authority and power. | Christ's final victory |
| Eph 4:1-3 | I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called... | Unity and peace in Christ |
| Eph 5:1-2 | Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. | Living in love, mirroring God |
| Col 1:19-20 | For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things... | Christ's reconciling work |
| Heb 2:14-15 | Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things... | Christ's humanity and victory over death |
| Rev 5:9-10 | And they sing a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain..." | Redemption through Christ |
| Rev 21:1-4 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... | New Heavens and New Earth |
| Rev 22:1-2 | Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb... | Paradise Restored |
| Isa 35:9 | No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it... | Holiness and safety in the new kingdom |
| Gen 1:28 | Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it... | Dominion over creation |
| Psa 8:6-8 | You have given him dominion over the works of your hands... | Man's appointed dominion |
| Acts 10:34 | So Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality... | God's impartiality and kingdom |
| Matt 18:3 | and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. | Significance of childlike humility |
Isaiah 11 verses
Isaiah 11 7 Meaning
The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them.
Isaiah 11 7 Context
Isaiah chapter 11 describes the reign of the ideal King, a shoot from the stump of Jesse. This King, universally recognized as the Messiah, will establish a new era of peace and justice. The previous verse (11:5) identified the King's righteousness and faithfulness. Verse 7 then paints a vivid picture of the transformation that will occur under his rule, not only among humanity but throughout the entire created order. This prophecy signifies a restoration of paradise-like conditions, a reversal of the curses brought about by sin.
Isaiah 11 7 Word Analysis
וְהָיָה (vehayah): "And it shall be" or "And there will be." This conjunctive particle begins the statement, linking it to the preceding descriptions of the Messiah's character and reign. It signifies a future certainty.
וְגָר (vegar): "and dwell" or "and sojourn." From the root גוּר (gur), meaning to sojourn or live as a foreigner. It suggests a peaceful coexistence, a dwelling without fear or hostility.
הַזְּאֵב (hazezev): "the wolf." In Scripture, wolves are often depicted as predatory and dangerous creatures, symbolizing fierceness and potential for harm.
עִם־הַטָּלֶה (im-hataleh): "with the lamb." The lamb is universally understood as a symbol of gentleness, innocence, and vulnerability. The contrast between wolf and lamb highlights the extreme nature of the coming peace.
וְהַנָּמֵר (venanamer): "and the leopard." The leopard, known for its stealth, ferocity, and predatory nature, adds another layer to the representation of untamed wilderness being subdued.
עִם־הָעִזִּים (im-ha'izzim): "with the young goats" or "with the kids of goats." These young animals represent further symbols of the defenseless and innocent.
וְהָרְבָא (verevah): "and the calf." Represents domestic bovine, usually associated with strength and docile behavior, especially when young.
וְיַחַד (veyahad): "and together." Emphasizes the unity and harmony.
הַלָּבִיא (hallavi): "the lion." The "king of beasts," representing ultimate power and potential danger.
וְמִרְבֶּ֫א (vemikneh): "and the fatling" or "fed cattle." Indicates well-cared-for, well-nourished domestic animals, contributing to the overall picture of abundance and tranquility.
בְּיַחַד (beyahad): "together." Reinforces the complete absence of conflict and the perfect unity.
וְטָף (vetaph): "and a little child." This is a crucial element. The weakest, most innocent, and most vulnerable member of society becomes the agent of peace and leadership.
יְנַהֲלֵם (yenahalehem): "shall lead them" or "shall tend them" or "shall herd them." From the root נָהַל (nahal), implying guidance and care. It signifies a gentle, nurturing leadership.
Word Groups Analysis:
- The juxtaposition of predatory animals (wolf, leopard, lion) with gentle prey animals (lamb, young goats, calf) is a deliberate literary device to illustrate a radical, supernatural transformation of the natural order.
- The progression from larger, more dangerous predators to the vulnerability of a "little child" leading them intensifies the depiction of ultimate peace and security, where even the most fearsome are rendered harmless and obedient.
- The repeated use of "together" (יַחַד, בְּיַחַד) underscores the totality of this peace; it is not partial or temporary but complete and pervasive.
Isaiah 11 7 Bonus Section
The imagery of wild animals living peaceably with domestic ones is a common motif in Near Eastern apocalyptic literature, but Isaiah's presentation is unique in its focus on the benevolent rule of a righteous king and the absolute reversal of the primal curse. The specific choice of animals (wolf, lamb, leopard, kid, calf, lion, fattened calf) covers a range from the most wild and fearsome to the most gentle and vulnerable, creating a comprehensive picture of universal peace. The Messiah's leadership is not characterized by force but by a gentle, nurturing power that brings even the fiercest creatures into submission through the sheer presence of divine harmony. This verse has often been understood as a prefigurement of the ultimate restoration in the new heavens and new earth, as described in Revelation. The peace described here transcends mere political détente; it reflects a deep spiritual and ecological restoration made possible by the presence of the Anointed One.
Isaiah 11 7 Commentary
This verse is a prophetic declaration of a future Messianic age marked by unprecedented peace. The traditional animosity between predator and prey, wild and domestic, fierce and gentle will be abolished. This is not merely a political peace but a profound reversal of the brokenness introduced by sin into creation itself. The image of a little child fearlessly leading powerful, dangerous animals vividly conveys the extent of this peace and the nature of the Messianic rule. It signifies a return to Edenic conditions, or even an exceeding of them, where creation’s perfect harmony is restored through the righteous and peaceful reign of Christ. The leadership of a child emphasizes humility, innocence, and the complete absence of threat or malice in this new order. This vision points to a time when God's kingdom will be fully established on earth, fulfilling all the promises of security and harmony found throughout Scripture.