Isaiah 11 9

Isaiah 11:9 kjv

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9 nkjv

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9 niv

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9 esv

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9 nlt

Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,
for as the waters fill the sea,
so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.

Isaiah 11 verses

Isaiah 11 9 Meaning

The entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD, just as the seas are filled with water. This signifies a future era of universal spiritual enlightenment and perfect righteousness.

Isaiah 11 9 Context

Isaiah 11:1-16 describes the righteous reign of the coming Messiah, a descendant of Jesse. This passage contrasts sharply with the prevailing political and spiritual landscape of Isaiah's time. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been conquered by Assyria, and the southern kingdom of Judah was under constant threat, often turning to alliances with foreign powers rather than relying on God. Chapter 11 opens with a vision of peace and justice brought by the Spirit-filled Messiah, which culminates in this verse. The immediate context, verse 8, speaks of the "little child" leading the beasts, emphasizing a transformed and harmonious natural order under the Messiah's rule.

Isaiah 11 9 Word Analysis

• וְלֹא (wə·lō): "and not" – indicates a continuation or a conjunction of ideas, often setting up a contrast or an added emphasis. Here, it builds upon the previous depiction of peace.
• יִכְחָ֑דוּ (yik·ḥā·ḏū): "they will be diminished" or "they will be destroyed." From the root כָּחַד (kachad), meaning to hide, conceal, or be diminished. In this context, it implies a cessation of evil, destruction, or harmful effects, leading to a state of wholeness.
• אֶת־ (’eṯ-): Direct object marker.
• כָּל־ (kol-): "all" – emphasizes totality and comprehensiveness.
• בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê): "sons of" – signifies offspring or inhabitants.
• בְּלִיָּעַל (ḇə·lî·yā·‘al): "worthlessness," "wickedness," "destruction." This is a strong Hebrew term, literally meaning "sons of Belial." It refers to worthless, wicked, or rebellious people or forces. The use of "sons of Belial" here could be a metaphorical way of saying that no destructive or morally corrupting forces will be found on the holy mountain.
• וּבְאָרֶץ (ū·ḇə·’ā·reṣ): "and in the land."
• יְהוָה (Yah·weh): The personal covenant name of God.
• אֵֽין־ (’ê·nə-): "there is not," "there is no." A strong negation.
• מוֹקִדִּים (mō·qî·ḏîm): "burning places" or "kindling." From the root יָקַד (yakad), meaning to burn, blaze. This likely refers to places of wicked sacrifice or to destruction by fire, implying an absence of any source of harm or unholy fervor.
• כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-): "as."
• יֶמְלָ֔אוּ (yem·lā·’ū): "they fill."
• יַמִּ֖ים (yam·mîm): "seas."
• מְלֵאִ֥ים (mə·lê·’îm): "filled."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "none of the wicked or hurtful things" (implied by absence of 'sons of Belial' and 'burning places'): This entire concept is suppressed or destroyed under the Messiah's reign. The forces that cause harm, destruction, and moral corruption will be utterly removed.
• "knowledge of the LORD fill the earth": The "knowledge" (da'at) is not just intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding and reverence for God that transforms individuals and society.
• "as the seas are full of water": The ubiquity and pervasiveness of God's knowledge will be as undeniable and all-encompassing as the seas filling the earth's basins. It speaks of absolute saturation.

Isaiah 11 9 Bonus Section

The concept of the earth being filled with the knowledge of God is a recurring theme of hope in the Old Testament, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Scholars point out that "knowledge" here (da'at) implies a deeper, relational knowledge than mere intellectual information; it’s an experiential acquaintance that leads to transformed lives. The complete removal of "sons of Belial" signifies not just the absence of wicked people, but the eradication of wickedness itself from the earth. The imagery of the seas emphasizes the inexhaustible and omnipresent nature of God’s truth and glory that will eventually cover the whole earth, a profound contrast to the fragmentation and sin that characterized the world in Isaiah's day and in many ways continues to this day, making this a prophecy of future redemption.

Isaiah 11 9 Commentary

This verse paints a picture of an eschatological fulfillment where God's perfect knowledge and presence will permeate the entire earth. It's a state where evil, represented by "sons of Belial" and "burning places" (idolatrous fires, places of judgment/destruction), is eradicated. The comparison to the seas overflowing signifies the completeness of this divine saturation. This isn't just about knowing facts about God, but knowing God intimately and experientially. This ultimate reign of divine knowledge will bring about perfect peace and righteousness. The natural order described in the preceding verses finds its foundation in this spiritual transformation of humanity's relationship with God.