King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Cow and bear will feed together, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
Berean Standard Bible:
The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
American Standard Version:
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the cow{H6510} and the bear{H1677} shall feed{H7462}; their young ones{H3206} shall lie down{H7257} together{H3162}: and the lion{H738} shall eat{H398} straw{H8401} like the ox{H1241}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 11:7
Isaiah 11:7 is part of a larger messianic prophecy found in Isaiah 11, which describes the future reign of a righteous ruler, often interpreted as the Messiah in Jewish tradition and as Jesus Christ in Christian theology. This verse, in particular, paints a vivid picture of the peace and harmony that will characterize this future kingdom, using the imagery of natural predators and their prey living together in a non-violent, almost Edenic coexistence. The cow and the bear feeding together, their young ones lying down side by side, and the lion—a symbol of strength and ferocity—eating straw like an ox, all symbolize a radical transformation of the natural order. This transformation is indicative of the restoration of the world to a state of original peace and purity, as intended by God, reversing the curse that came with the fall of humanity (as described in Genesis 3).
The historical context of this prophecy is set during the period of the divided monarchy, when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were often at odds with each other and with neighboring nations. It was a time marked by political instability, idolatry, and social injustice. Isaiah's message would have been one of hope to a people experiencing turmoil and the threat of judgment, assuring them that a time of peace and divine governance would eventually come. This vision of peace extends beyond human relationships to include the entire created order, suggesting that the redemptive work of the Messiah will have universal implications, affecting not only humanity but all of creation.
In summary, Isaiah 11:7 encapsulates the themes of peace, restoration, and the reversal of the curse, pointing to a future messianic age when the world will be transformed and all creatures will live in harmony, reflecting the righteousness, peace, and fullness of God's original design for creation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6510
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרָה
Transliteration: pârâh
Pronunciation: paw-raw'
Description: feminine of פַּר; a heifer; cow, heifer, kine. - Strong's Number: H1677
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֹּב
Transliteration: dôb
Pronunciation: dobe
Description: or (fully) דּוֹב; from דָּבַב; the bear (as slow); bear. - Strong's Number: H7462
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעָה
Transliteration: râʻâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend); [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. - Strong's Number: H3206
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֶלֶד
Transliteration: yeled
Pronunciation: yeh'-led
Description: from יָלַד; something born, i.e. a lad or offspring; boy, child, fruit, son, young man (one). - Strong's Number: H7257
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבַץ
Transliteration: râbats
Pronunciation: raw-bats'
Description: a primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed; crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit. - Strong's Number: H3162
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַחַד
Transliteration: yachad
Pronunciation: yakh'-ad
Description: from יָחַד; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly; alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. - Strong's Number: H738
There are 184 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרִי
Transliteration: ʼărîy
Pronunciation: ar-ee'
Description: or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [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. - Strong's Number: H8401
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תֶּבֶן
Transliteration: teben
Pronunciation: teh'-ben
Description: probably from בָּנָה; properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and used for fodder); chaff, straw, stubble. - Strong's Number: H1241
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקָר
Transliteration: bâqâr
Pronunciation: baw-kawr'
Description: from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox.