Isaiah 11:7
Isaiah 11:7 in Multiple Translations
The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the cow and the bear will be friends while their young ones are sleeping together.
Cows and bears will graze side by side; young lions will eat straw like cattle.
And the kow and the beare shall feede: their yong ones shall lie together: and the lyon shall eate strawe like the bullocke.
And cow and bear do feed, Together lie down their young ones, And a lion as an ox eateth straw.
The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Cows and bears will eat together; bear cubs and calves will lie down together. Lions will not eat other animals; instead, they will eat hay like cows do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 11:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 11:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פָרָ֤ה
וָ/דֹב֙
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
יַחְדָּ֖ו
יִרְבְּצ֣וּ
יַלְדֵי/הֶ֑ן
וְ/אַרְיֵ֖ה
כַּ/בָּקָ֥ר
יֹֽאכַל
תֶּֽבֶן
וּ/פָרָ֤ה
pârâh
H6510
heifer
Conj | N-fs
וָ/דֹב֙
dôb
H1677
bear
Conj | N-ms
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
râʻâh
H7462
House of Shepherds
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
יִרְבְּצ֣וּ
râbats
H7257
to stretch
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יַלְדֵי/הֶ֑ן
yeled
H3206
youth
N-mp | Suff
וְ/אַרְיֵ֖ה
ʼărîy
H738
lion
Conj | N-ms
כַּ/בָּקָ֥ר
bâqâr
H1241
cattle
Prep | N-cs
יֹֽאכַל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
תֶּֽבֶן
teben
H8401
straw
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 11:7
וּ/פָרָ֤ה
pârâh
H6510
"heifer"
Conj | N-fs
A heifer is a young female cow, and this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe such an animal. In Exodus 29:1, a heifer is used as a sacrifice, and in Numbers 19:2, it is used for purification. It is an important animal in biblical times.
Definition: cow, heifer
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cow, heifer, kine. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 19:6; Isaiah 11:7.
וָ/דֹב֙
dôb
H1677
"bear"
Conj | N-ms
The bear is described in the Bible as a slow-moving animal, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:34-37 where David fights a bear. The word for bear is also used in Proverbs 28:15.
Definition: bear Aramaic equivalent: dov (דֹּב "bear" H1678)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: bear. See also: 1 Samuel 17:34; Proverbs 28:15; Proverbs 17:12.
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
râʻâh
H7462
"House of Shepherds"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Definition: Ra'ah = "pasturing" perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. See also: Genesis 4:2; Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1.
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
יִרְבְּצ֣וּ
râbats
H7257
"to stretch"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To stretch or lie down, like an animal, and can imply resting or lurking, as in Exodus 23:5.
Definition: 1) to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out 1a) (Qal) to lie down, lie 1b)(Hiphil) to cause to lie down 1b1) laying (stones)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit. See also: Genesis 4:7; Isaiah 11:7; Psalms 23:2.
יַלְדֵי/הֶ֑ן
yeled
H3206
"youth"
N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a young person, like a child or teenager, such as the youth who helped David in 1 Samuel 20:1. It can also mean offspring or descendants, like the children of Israel in Exodus 12:37.
Definition: 1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth 1a) child, son, boy 1b) child, children 1c) descendants 1d) youth 1e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: boy, child, fruit, son, young man (one). See also: Genesis 4:23; 1 Kings 12:10; Isaiah 2:6.
וְ/אַרְיֵ֖ה
ʼărîy
H738
"lion"
Conj | N-ms
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.
כַּ/בָּקָ֥ר
bâqâr
H1241
"cattle"
Prep | N-cs
Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.
Definition: 1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox 1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll) 1b) herd (particular one) 1c) head of cattle (individually)
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. See also: Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 8:13; Psalms 66:15.
יֹֽאכַל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
תֶּֽבֶן
teben
H8401
"straw"
N-ms
Teben refers to straw or stubble, often used as fodder for animals or building material. It is mentioned in the Bible as a material for constructing houses.
Definition: 1) straw, stubble 1a) as building material 1b) as fodder for livestock
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: chaff, straw, stubble. See also: Genesis 24:25; Exodus 5:18; Isaiah 11:7.
Study Notes — Isaiah 11:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Isaiah 11:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 11:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 11:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 11:7
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 11:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
Context — The Root of Jesse
5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.
6The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them.
7The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. 9They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.Isaiah 11:7 Summary
[Isaiah 11:7 paints a beautiful picture of a future time when all of God's creation will live in perfect harmony, where even the most unlikely of friends will get along, as seen in Isaiah 65:25. This verse reminds us that God's kingdom is one of peace and restoration, where all of creation is at peace with each other and with Him, as mentioned in Romans 8:21. Just as the lion will eat straw like the ox, we can trust that God will bring peace to our own lives and relationships, and that one day, all of creation will be restored to its original purpose, as seen in Revelation 21:1-4.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the lion to eat straw like the ox in Isaiah 11:7?
This verse symbolizes a future time of peace and harmony, where even the most fierce creatures will no longer rely on their natural instincts for survival, as seen in Isaiah 65:25, where the lion will eat straw like the ox, illustrating a state of perfect peace.
Will animals really live together in harmony in the future?
According to Isaiah 11:7 and other scriptures like Isaiah 65:25, yes, in the future messianic kingdom, animals will live in harmony with each other, reflecting the peace and restoration that God will bring to His creation, as mentioned in Romans 8:21.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 11:7 is part of a larger description of the messianic kingdom, where God's people will live in peace and harmony with each other and with creation, as seen in verses like Isaiah 11:6 and Isaiah 11:9, which describe a time of perfect peace and safety.
Is this verse only speaking of animals or is there a deeper meaning?
While the verse does describe animals living in harmony, it also symbolizes the deeper spiritual reality of a world redeemed by God, where all of creation is at peace, as mentioned in Colossians 1:20, where God reconciles all things to Himself through Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions
- What would it look like for me to live in harmony with those around me, just as the animals in this verse live in harmony with each other?
- How can I reflect the peace and restoration of God's kingdom in my own life and relationships?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and His desire for His creation?
- In what ways can I trust God to bring peace and harmony to the broken areas of my life, just as He promises to do in Isaiah 11:7?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 11:7
And the cow and the bear shall feed,.... That is, together, in one church state, at one table, or in one pasture, upon the wholesome food of the Gospel, the salutary doctrines of Christ; who though
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 11:7
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the cow and the bear shall feed - together taken from the second clause.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
Shall feed together, as it follows, without any danger or fear. The lion shall eat straw, the grass and fruits of the earth, as they did at first, ,30, and shall not devour other living creatures, as now they do.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
Isaiah 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.Ver. 7. And the cow and the bear shall feed.] An allegorical description of greatest confidence and innocence, saith Junius. Bears are angry and vindictive creatures; so are the best by nature, till tamed and domesticated by God’ s distinguishing grace. As for those semiperfectae vertutis homines, as an ancient calls them, temporaries and hypocrites, who do only the outward works of duty, without the inward principle, it may be said of them, as the civil law doth of those mixed beasts, elephants, camels, &c., Operam praestant, natura fera est, they do the work of tame beasts, yet have the nature of wild ones. Their young ones shall lie down together.] Heb., Their children, i.e., say some, children after parents shall do thus, and their children after them from age to age; not revolting any more to barbarism. And the lion shall eat straw.] Not men and other sensitive creatures, as now. This, say the Chiliasts after some Rabbis, shall be literally fulfilled in that golden age of Christ’ s personal reign upon earth; a mere fancy, first vented by Papias, a man of some holiness, but ingenii pertenuis, of very little judgment, saith Eusebius. Arcularius. Conversi non vivent ex rapto: sed legitime partis reculis contenti erunt. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History l. 3. c. 39. 1:295,297.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
Verse 7. In this verse a word is omitted in the text, יחדו yachdav, together; which ought to be repeated in the second hemistich, being quite necessary to the sense. It is accordingly twice expressed by the Septuagint and Syriac.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 11:7
7. Cf. Isaiah 65:25. shall feed] Better, shall graze, unless we are to supply “alike” as in Isaiah 65:25. Some critics prefer to read “shall associate together,” with a small alteration of the text.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 11:7
And the cow and the bear shall feed - That is, together. Animals that by nature do not dwell together, where by nature the one would be the prey of the other, shall dwell together - animage of safety and peace.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 11:7
7. Shall feed — Or, graze. Eat straw — “No hay is made in Palestine.” — VAN LENNEP’S Bible Lands, p. 83. The fodder for cattle, horses, and camels in that country is straw broken and mashed at the threshing floors.