Isaiah 2:4 kjv

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Isaiah 2:4 nkjv

He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:4 niv

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Isaiah 2:4 esv

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:4 nlt

The LORD will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 4 Meaning

Isaiah 2:4 describes a future era, known as "the last days" (Isa 2:2), when God's universal rule will bring ultimate peace and justice to the entire world. In this time, God Himself will resolve disputes between nations, reproving widespread wrongs. Consequently, instruments of war—swords and spears—will be transformed into tools for agriculture—plowshares and pruning hooks—symbolizing a profound shift from destruction to sustenance. Nations will cease all warfare, neither attacking each other nor training for combat, as global peace is established under divine authority.

Isaiah 2 4 Context

Isaiah chapter 2 begins by looking forward to "the latter days" (v.2), a future era when the mountain of the Lord's house will be established as the highest, drawing all nations to it for instruction in God's ways (vv.2-3). Isaiah 2:4 directly follows this vision of universal pilgrimage, describing the practical outcome of nations learning from the Lord: the cessation of all war and the establishment of divine justice. The prophet then contrasts this glorious future with the present reality of Judah, which is steeped in human pride, idolatry, and reliance on material wealth and military might (Isa 2:5-22), highlighting the need for divine intervention and repentance to realize such a future. This vision of peace served as a profound challenge and comfort to an audience living amidst geopolitical instability and moral decay.

Isaiah 2 4 Word analysis

• He shall judge: וְשָׁפַט (wəšāp̄aṭ) - From the Hebrew root šāpaṭ (שָׁפַט), meaning "to judge, govern, rule, decide a controversy." This highlights God's role as the supreme, righteous arbiter and ultimate authority. His judgment is not merely condemnation but the establishment of order and justice.
• between the nations: בֵּין־הַגּוֹיִם (bên-haggôyim) - "Nations" (gôyim) denotes the Gentile peoples of the world, emphasizing the universal scope of God's peace and justice, not limited to Israel.
• and rebuke: וְהוֹכִיחַ (wəhôḵîaḥ) - From yāḵaḥ (יָכַח), meaning "to argue, reprove, arbitrate, convict." This indicates God will mediate and bring conviction or decision in disputes among peoples, leading them away from destructive conflict.
• many peoples: לְעַמִּים רַבִּים (ləʿammîm rabbîm) - "Peoples" (ʿammîm) further underscores the widespread impact and acceptance of God's decisions among diverse groups.
• they shall beat: וְכִתְּתוּ (wəḵittətū) - From kāthaṯ (כָּתַת), meaning "to beat to pieces, demolish, crush." This strong verb emphasizes a thorough and irreversible destruction of war-making capacity.
• their swords: חַרְבוֹתָם (ḥarbôṯām) - ḥerev (חֶרֶב), a sword, symbolizes weaponry, offense, and conflict.
• into plowshares: לְאִתֵּי (ləʾittê) - ʾēth (אֵת), a plowshare. A tool for turning soil in preparation for planting. This signifies a fundamental re-purposing from destruction to cultivation, from war to life-giving sustenance.
• and their spears: וַחֲנִיתוֹתֵיהֶם (waḥănîṯôwṯêhem) - ḥănîṯ (חֲנִית), a spear, another instrument of war.
• into pruning hooks: לְמַזְמֵרוֹת (ləmazmêrôṯ) - mazmērāh (מַזְמֵרָה), a pruning hook. A tool for tending vines and trees, ensuring fruitful growth. Reinforces the transformation to productive agricultural pursuits.
• nation shall not lift up sword against nation: לֹא־יִשָּׂא גוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי חֶרֶב (lōʾ-yiśśāʾ gôy ʾel-gôy ḥerev) - "Shall not lift up" (lōʾ yiśśāʾ) implies not initiating aggression. This phrase categorically negates interstate conflict, depicting a world without militaristic threat.
• neither shall they learn war anymore: וְלֹא־יִלְמְדוּ עוֹד מִלְחָמָה (wəlōʾ-yilməḏū ʿôḏ milḥāmāh) - This goes beyond merely ceasing to fight. "Not learn war" means the very knowledge, training, and strategic mindset of warfare will be obsolete and abandoned, reflecting a profound shift in human intent and activity. "Anymore" (ʿôḏ) implies permanency.

Word-group analysis:

• "He shall judge... and rebuke": This duo establishes God's absolute moral authority and sovereignty over all human affairs. He is not merely an observer but an active intervener who brings peace through justice and conviction. This function is often ascribed to the coming Messiah, the righteous king.
• "swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks": This vivid imagery represents total demilitarization and reorientation of resources and human energy. It's a complete shift from instruments of death to tools of life, from war-based economies to peace-based productivity and flourishing. It is the practical, tangible result of God's rule and nations learning His ways.
• "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore": This concluding phrase provides a definitive double negation of warfare. It signifies not only the absence of active combat but also the eradication of the very preparation and intent for war. It is a state of comprehensive and enduring peace, where the concept of armed conflict becomes foreign and obsolete.

Isaiah 2 4 Bonus section

The almost identical phrasing in Micah 4:3 suggests a shared prophetic tradition or an independent adaptation by both prophets from an earlier, widely known oracle, emphasizing the importance and prominence of this vision within Israel's prophetic heritage. This vision stands in direct contrast to human efforts at achieving peace through balance of power, alliances, or military superiority, underscoring that true and lasting peace must originate from God's rule and His transformation of hearts and societies. It challenges the inherent human inclination towards self-reliance and aggression, pointing instead to universal submission to divine law.

Isaiah 2 4 Commentary

Isaiah 2:4 encapsulates one of the most powerful and enduring prophetic visions of the Messianic age. It portrays a future where the source of international conflict is removed by divine judgment, and humanity’s focus is completely redirected from destruction to life-sustaining endeavors. This peace, shalom, is not merely the absence of war, but a comprehensive state of well-being, wholeness, justice, and harmonious order established by God’s active presence and authority. The transformation of weapons into agricultural tools symbolizes a radical change in societal priorities, resource allocation, and even human hearts. It is a promise of an ultimate golden age, where the deep knowledge of God pervades the earth (Isa 11:9), removing the root causes of conflict. While this prophecy awaits its full consummation in God's established kingdom, it provides hope and serves as an enduring call for the church and individuals to pursue peace and justice now, to be agents of the transformation that God promises.