Isaiah 65:25

KJV

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

The wolf {H2061} and the lamb {H2924} shall feed {H7462} together {H259}, and the lion {H738} shall eat {H398} straw {H8401} like the bullock {H1241}: and dust {H6083} shall be the serpent's {H5175} meat {H3899}. They shall not hurt {H7489} nor destroy {H7843} in all my holy {H6944} mountain {H2022}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion eat straw like an ox (but the serpent - its food will be dust). They will not hurt or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.

American Standard Version

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 65:25 presents a breathtaking prophetic vision of the consummate peace and harmony that will characterize God's future kingdom. This verse climactically depicts a radical transformation of the natural order, where traditional adversaries such as the wolf and lamb, and the lion and bullock, coexist without conflict, their predatory instincts abolished. It serves as the capstone to a description of the "new heavens and a new earth," emphasizing the complete cessation of all harm and destruction within God's sacred domain, thereby signifying a profound and comprehensive restoration of creation to an Edenic state of tranquility, divine order, and secure flourishing, all guaranteed by the Lord's own authoritative declaration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 65:25 serves as the powerful and definitive conclusion to a sweeping prophetic section (Isaiah 65:1-25) that transitions from God's lament over Israel's persistent rebellion and idolatry (Isaiah 65:1-7) to glorious promises of restoration for His faithful remnant. Specifically, verses 17-25 unveil a vivid portrait of the "new heavens and a new earth" that God will establish, a realm characterized by everlasting joy, extended lifespans, fruitful labor unmarred by futility, and the complete absence of sorrow, crying, or premature death. Within this grand vision of cosmic renewal, verse 25, with its striking imagery of transformed animal behavior, acts as the ultimate seal, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's restorative work. It demonstrates that divine peace will permeate every facet of creation, extending even to the animal kingdom, and reinforcing the profound truth that God's manifest presence will utterly eradicate all forms of suffering, violence, and destruction from His perfectly renewed cosmos.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a turbulent era for the Southern Kingdom of Judah, spanning the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (roughly 740-680 BC). This period was marked by significant political instability, including the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, and profound spiritual decay within Judah, often leading to divine judgment. Against this backdrop of war, social injustice, and spiritual brokenness, Isaiah's prophecies of a future age of universal peace and divine order would have been profoundly counter-cultural and deeply comforting to a people yearning for deliverance. The imagery of predator and prey coexisting peacefully would have been particularly startling and revolutionary in an agrarian society where the constant threat of wild animals to livestock was a tangible and ever-present reality. Furthermore, the concept of "my holy mountain" (Mount Zion/Jerusalem) as the epicenter of God's righteous rule was foundational to Israelite theology, representing the place of God's dwelling and the source of His blessings, a vision that is here gloriously expanded to encompass an eschatological, globally transformed reality.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 65:25 powerfully encapsulates several core themes that resonate throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. It vividly portrays **Universal Peace and Harmony**, depicting a world radically transformed from its current state of conflict and predation, echoing earlier Messianic prophecies of a peaceable kingdom found in [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6-9 "Isaiah 11:6-9 - The Peaceable Kingdom"). This vision is intrinsically linked to the theme of **Cosmic Restoration**, signifying a comprehensive reversal of the curse of sin that impacted all creation, as initially described in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on Creation"). The specific mention of the serpent's diet ("dust [shall be] the serpent's meat") directly references the curse in [Genesis 3:14](/genesis/3-14 "Genesis 3:14 - The Serpent's Curse"), highlighting the ultimate **Defeat of Evil** and its pervasive influence, even as the serpent's power to "hurt nor destroy" is definitively removed. Finally, the concluding phrase "saith the LORD" underscores **Divine Sovereignty and the Certainty of God's Promises**, affirming that this future is not a mere utopian dream but a guaranteed reality brought about by the omnipotent and faithful God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wolf (Hebrew, _zᵉʼêb'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be yellow," this term specifically denotes a wolf. In biblical imagery, the wolf is consistently portrayed as a fierce, predatory, and destructive animal, often symbolizing ruthless enemies, oppressive leaders, or false teachers (e.g., [Ezekiel 22:27](/ezekiel/22-27 "Ezekiel 22:27 - Princes like Wolves") or [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Wolves in Sheep's Clothing")). Its inclusion here underscores the radical, almost unimaginable, nature of the peace, as its innate predatory instinct is completely nullified in the new creation.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _ṭâleh'_):** This word refers to a young lamb, a creature universally associated with innocence, vulnerability, and sacrifice in biblical contexts. The image of the wolf and lamb feeding together is the epitome of the reversal of the natural order, where the most vulnerable is utterly safe and secure in the immediate presence of its former natural predator, symbolizing absolute peace, security, and the eradication of fear.
* **Serpent (Hebrew, _nâchâsh'_):** This term denotes a snake, specifically from its characteristic hiss. The serpent holds immense symbolic weight in Scripture, most notably as the instrument of temptation and the embodiment of evil and deception in the Garden of Eden ([Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall")). Its curse to eat dust is reiterated here, but with the added dimension that its capacity to "hurt nor destroy" is removed, signifying the ultimate subjugation, impotence, and containment of evil in God's holy domain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together":** This opening clause immediately establishes the central theme of radical transformation and profound peace. It presents a vivid, almost shocking, image of two animals that are natural enemies—one a fierce predator, the other its vulnerable prey—coexisting peacefully and sharing nourishment. This symbolizes the complete eradication of enmity, fear, and violence from the new creation, extending God's perfect peace beyond humanity to encompass the entire natural world.
* **"and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock":** This parallel clause powerfully reinforces the theme of transformed nature. The lion, the undisputed king of beasts and a powerful carnivore, is depicted as eating straw, which is the characteristic diet of a herbivorous bullock (ox). This further emphasizes the complete reversal of predatory instincts and the establishment of a non-violent, vegetarian order, reminiscent of the pre-Fall creation described in [Genesis 1:30](/genesis/1-30 "Genesis 1:30 - Pre-Fall Diet for All Creatures").
* **"and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat":** This phrase directly references the curse placed upon the serpent in [Genesis 3:14](/genesis/3-14 "Genesis 3:14 - The Serpent's Curse"), where it was condemned to crawl on its belly and eat dust. While the serpent's diet remains unchanged, its inclusion here serves a crucial symbolic purpose. It signifies that the original instigator of sin and cosmic disorder remains under judgment and humiliation, yet its power to inflict harm in God's new creation is utterly nullified and contained.
* **"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.":** This concluding declaration provides the overarching context and divine guarantee for the preceding imagery. "My holy mountain" refers metaphorically to God's restored kingdom, centered in Jerusalem (Mount Zion), but encompassing the entirety of His renewed creation. The emphatic statement that "they shall not hurt nor destroy" confirms the absolute absence of any form of violence, suffering, corruption, or malevolence. The concluding "saith the LORD" functions as a solemn **divine oracle**, stamping God's unchangeable authority, faithfulness, and omnipotence on this magnificent promise, assuring its certain and complete fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 65:25 is exceptionally rich with **Symbolism** and vivid **Imagery**. The animals—the wolf, lamb, lion, bullock, and serpent—are not merely literal creatures but powerful symbols representing the full spectrum of creation, from the most violent predators to the most vulnerable prey, and even the embodiment of evil. Their radically transformed behavior vividly symbolizes a world where all enmity, fear, and suffering have ceased. The phrase "my holy mountain" functions as a key **Metaphor**, representing God's righteous, peaceful, and perfectly ordered kingdom, where His manifest presence ensures absolute shalom. The verse employs striking **Parallelism** in its structure, with the wolf-lamb pairing mirrored by the lion-bullock, reinforcing the comprehensive and universal nature of the peace. The entire passage is a prime example of **Eschatological Prophecy**, looking forward to a future, divinely inaugurated age of ultimate redemption. The concluding "saith the LORD" functions as a powerful **Divine Oracle**, lending irrefutable authority, certainty, and divine guarantee to the prophecy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 65:25 stands as a profound theological statement on God's ultimate plan for creation, revealing His unwavering intention to fully redeem and restore not only humanity but also the very fabric of the natural world. It speaks to a future where the original harmony and perfection of Eden are not just recovered but perfected, utterly free from the blight of sin and its pervasive consequences. This vision underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unshakeable faithfulness to His promises, assuring believers that the current groaning of creation under the weight of sin will one day give way to glorious liberty and profound peace. It paints a comprehensive picture of shalom, where even the most primal instincts of hostility and predation are overcome by divine grace, establishing a kingdom characterized by perfect justice, tranquility, and the manifest, all-encompassing presence of God.

* [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6-9 "Isaiah 11:6-9 - The Peaceable Kingdom Prophecy")
* [Romans 8:19-22](/romans/8-19-22 "Romans 8:19-22 - Creation Groans for Redemption")
* [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 65:25 offers a breathtaking glimpse into God's ultimate design for creation—a world utterly transformed by His sovereign presence, where violence, fear, and destruction are completely abolished. This profound vision serves as an inexhaustible source of hope and comfort for believers living in a broken, often chaotic, and suffering world. It powerfully reminds us that suffering, injustice, and conflict are not God's final word, but rather temporary realities that will ultimately yield to His perfect and eternal peace. This prophecy encourages us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that if He can orchestrate such a radical and comprehensive transformation in the natural order, He is surely capable of fulfilling all His promises for our individual lives and for the world at large. While the full and literal realization of this cosmic peace awaits the new heavens and new earth, this vision also inspires and compels us to be active agents of peace, reconciliation, and healing in our present circumstances, reflecting the values of the coming kingdom and striving to bring glimpses of God's shalom into our communities, relationships, and spheres of influence, even now.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of predator and prey living in harmony challenge your current understanding of God's immense power and ultimate purposes for all of creation?**
* **In what specific ways does the promise of a world without "hurt nor destroy" offer profound hope and genuine comfort to you personally amidst present suffering, injustice, or conflict?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, actively live in a way that anticipates and authentically reflects the peace and harmony of God's coming kingdom in our daily lives and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Is the prophecy in Isaiah 65:25 meant to be interpreted literally or symbolically?**

Answer: While the imagery of animals like wolves and lambs feeding together is undeniably rich with **symbolism**, representing a profound and radical reversal of the natural order and the eradication of enmity, the underlying promise of universal peace and the complete cessation of all harm is intended to be **literally** fulfilled. The Bible often employs vivid symbolic language to describe future realities that are beyond our current comprehension or experience. In this particular case, the literal truth conveyed is that in God's new creation, there will be no more violence, suffering, or destruction of any kind, and perfect harmony will extend to all aspects of existence, including the animal kingdom. This aligns seamlessly with the broader biblical narrative of creation's ultimate redemption from the curse of sin, moving towards a state of perfect and comprehensive shalom.

**How does this prophecy relate to the Garden of Eden and the Fall?**

Answer: Isaiah 65:25 directly relates to the Garden of Eden and the Fall by portraying a complete and glorious reversal of the curse introduced in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). Before the Fall, creation lived in perfect harmony, and all animals, including humans, were herbivores ([Genesis 1:30](/genesis/1-30 "Genesis 1:30 - Pre-Fall Diet for All Living Things")). The Fall introduced sin, death, disorder, and enmity into the world, leading to conflict between creatures and the subsequent "groaning" of creation ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans in Anticipation")). Isaiah's prophecy depicts a return to, and even an exceeding of, that original Edenic state of peace and harmony. The specific mention of the serpent's diet ("dust [shall be] the serpent's meat") is a direct and poignant echo of the curse placed upon the serpent in [Genesis 3:14](/genesis/3-14 "Genesis 3:14 - The Serpent's Curse"), signifying that while the serpent (representing evil and the instigator of sin) remains subdued and under judgment, its power to "hurt nor destroy" is utterly removed and rendered impotent in God's perfectly restored "holy mountain."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 65:25 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is the promised Messiah and the divine agent of God's new creation. While the full, cosmic realization of this universal peace awaits His glorious return and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth, Christ's first advent inaugurated this new reality. He is the one through whom God was pleased to reconcile all things to Himself, "whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Through His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, Jesus began the profound process of reversing the curse of sin, not only for humanity but for all of creation, which "waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed" and "will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God" ([Romans 8:19-21](/romans/8-19-21 "Romans 8:19-21 - Creation's Hope in Christ")). The peaceable kingdom envisioned by Isaiah is a direct and inevitable result of Christ's sovereign reign, where He, as the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace Prophecy")), will ultimately bring a definitive and eternal end to all hurt, destruction, and discord, making "all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")). Thus, Isaiah 65:25 serves as a powerful prophetic blueprint for the comprehensive shalom that is secured by Christ's finished redemptive work and will be fully manifested in His eternal, glorious kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 11:6

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11:9

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.

Micah 4:3

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

Acts 9:19

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 9:21

But all that heard [him] were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

Titus 3:7

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.