Isaiah 11 7

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 verses

Isaiah 11 7 meaning

Isaiah 11:7 portrays a profound and radical transformation in the natural world as part of the Messiah's coming kingdom. It describes a state of perfect harmony and peace where former adversaries in the animal kingdom, like the cow and the bear, and the lion and the ox, coexist peacefully without any predatory instinct. This imagery symbolizes the complete eradication of animosity, fear, and violence, pointing to a new creation marked by ultimate peace, both among humanity and throughout the natural order. It signifies a restoration of creation to an ideal, perhaps Edenic, state.

Isaiah 11 7 Context

Isaiah chapter 11 is a pivotal Messianic prophecy, unfolding the glorious reign of a future King. It begins with the symbolic "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (v.1), denoting the Messiah's humble origins yet divine power. Verses 2-5 describe His Spirit-filled wisdom, righteousness, and justice in judgment, establishing a kingdom founded on integrity. Verse 6 introduces the remarkable imagery of peaceful coexistence among animals, which verse 7 continues to expand. This section, climaxing in verse 9, paints a picture of complete safety, peace, and the universal knowledge of God throughout His "holy mountain" (His kingdom). The prophecy serves as a powerful message of hope and restoration for a people likely suffering under political upheaval or facing exile, promising a radical return to divine order and a state of blessed tranquility far beyond human capability, initiated and sustained by the coming Messiah. The immediate contrast is the world's natural predation and humanity's violent history.

Isaiah 11 7 Word analysis

• The cow (פָּרָה, parah): A domesticated herbivore, symbolic of tamed nature and peaceful existence.
• and the bear (וְדֹב, ve-dov): A powerful, wild omnivore often seen as dangerous. Its juxtaposition with the cow highlights the miraculous breaking of natural predatory instincts.
• will graze (תִרְעֶינָה, tir'eynah): This verb means "they will pasture" or "they will feed." It's typically used for herbivores peacefully eating. Its application to a bear indicates a fundamental change in its diet and nature, embracing a plant-based sustenance.
• their young ones (וְיַלְדֵיהֶן, ve-yaldeihen): Emphasizes the innocence and vulnerability of offspring. The safety of the young from all predators underscores the completeness and depth of the peaceful transformation, extending to the most helpless members of the animal kingdom.
• will lie down together (יִרְבָּצוּ יַחְדָּו, yirbatzu yachdaw): Denotes rest, security, and trust. The phrase suggests an absence of fear, where natural adversaries can recline in close proximity without threat, illustrating profound harmony.
• and the lion (וְאַרְיֵה, ve-aryeh): The quintessential apex predator, king of the beasts, known for its hunting prowess and ferocity. Often symbolizes danger or oppressive powers.
• will eat straw (כַּתֶּבֶן יֹאכַל, kat-teven yokal): A dramatic shift in diet for a carnivore. "Straw" (teven) is a food source for domesticated herbivores like cattle. This signifies a radical change in the lion's biological nature and behavior.
• like the ox (כַּבָּקָר, ka-bakar): The ox, a large domesticated herbivore, completes the image of the lion's transformation. The comparison implies the lion will become completely docile and plant-eating, mirroring the habits of a traditional farm animal.

Words-group analysis:

• The cow and the bear will graze: This phrase demonstrates an overcoming of the natural food chain. The herbivore and what would naturally be a threat to it (and an omnivore itself) now share a common, peaceful, plant-based meal. It points to reconciliation and altered nature.
• their young ones will lie down together: The inclusion of "young ones" significantly deepens the image of peace. Vulnerability is eradicated. No creature needs to protect its offspring from the other, showcasing absolute trust and security even among the weakest.
• and the lion will eat straw like the ox: This powerful imagery signifies the ultimate transformation of predatory instinct. The most fearsome hunter loses its appetite for flesh, becoming docile and sustained by vegetation, indicative of a return to the pre-fall dietary state mentioned in Genesis 1:30.

Isaiah 11 7 Bonus section

This vision of natural harmony is often interpreted dualistically: both as a literal future transformation of creation during the Messiah's reign and symbolically representing the radical peace and unity among diverse people groups within the church, reconciled by Christ. The imagery, particularly the lion eating straw like the ox, strongly echoes Genesis 1:30, where all creatures were initially herbivorous, suggesting a return to (or improvement upon) God's original design for creation. Scholars often emphasize that this depiction of ultimate shalom (peace, wholeness, well-being) underscores the depth of God's redemptive plan, impacting every aspect of existence—from human relationships to the very nature of animals. It illustrates that God's restoration will be absolute and leave no area of creation untouched by His peace.

Isaiah 11 7 Commentary

Isaiah 11:7 is a vibrant, symbolic portrait of the profound peace characteristic of the Messianic era. It goes beyond merely ceasing human conflict, extending this divine tranquility to the natural world. This radical re-ordering of nature signifies that the deepest roots of disorder and harm—symptoms of the fall—will be undone by God's kingdom. The transformation of predators into herbivores and the peaceful coexistence of traditional prey and hunter point to a return to a pre-fall Edenic harmony, or even a perfected state, where violence and fear are utterly absent. It promises not just a spiritual restoration, but a cosmic one, orchestrated by the Righteous Branch, the Messiah. This universal peace, encompassing all creation, speaks to the completeness of God's redemptive work.