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Isaiah 11:13

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The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

The envy {H7068} also of Ephraim {H669} shall depart {H5493}, and the adversaries {H6887} of Judah {H3063} shall be cut off {H3772}: Ephraim {H669} shall not envy {H7065} Judah {H3063}, and Judah {H3063} shall not vex {H6887} Ephraim {H669}.

Efrayim's jealousy will cease - those who harass Y'hudah will be cut off, Efrayim will stop envying Y'hudah, and Y'hudah will stop provoking Efrayim.

Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and they that vex Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

Commentary

Isaiah 11:13 is a powerful prophetic declaration within a chapter focused on the coming Messiah and the glorious peace of His kingdom. This verse specifically addresses the long-standing division and animosity between the two primary factions of ancient Israel: the northern kingdom, represented by Ephraim, and the southern kingdom, represented by Judah.

Context of Isaiah 11:13

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 11 detailing the reign of a future king, the "Branch out of the roots of Jesse," who is the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1). The preceding verses describe His righteous rule, the transformation of nature, and the peaceful gathering of scattered Israel. Verse 13 depicts a key aspect of this messianic age: the complete reconciliation and unity of God's people, putting an end to internal strife that had plagued them for centuries. The gathering of the dispersed of Judah and the scattered of Israel is mentioned just before this verse, setting the stage for their peaceful coexistence.

Key Themes

  • Reconciliation and Unity: The central message is the end of the bitter rivalry between Ephraim (representing the ten northern tribes) and Judah (the southern kingdom, including Benjamin). Their historical "envy" and "vexation" will cease entirely.
  • Messianic Peace: This unity is a direct consequence of the Messiah's just and peaceful reign. His presence brings not only external peace but also internal harmony among His people, fulfilling a vision of the Prince of Peace.
  • Restoration of Israel: The prophecy points to a future time when the entire nation of Israel will be reunited under one head, free from the divisions that led to their downfall and exile.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "Ephraim" and "Judah" are used here as metonyms for the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, respectively. Historically, Ephraim was the most prominent tribe of the northern kingdom, often used interchangeably with "Israel."

  • "Envy" (Hebrew: qin'ah): This word signifies intense jealousy, rivalry, or zealous animosity. It perfectly describes the long-standing contentious relationship between the two kingdoms, often marked by border disputes, political intrigue, and religious deviations.
  • "Vex" (Hebrew: tsarar): Means to distress, harass, oppress, or be an adversary. It encapsulates the active hostility and trouble Judah inflicted upon or experienced from Ephraim. The verse promises that this mutual antagonism will be completely removed.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 11:13 offers a profound vision of divine peace and reconciliation. While primarily a prophecy concerning the future restoration and unity of Israel under the Messiah, its principles resonate deeply for believers today:

  • Hope for Healing Divisions: It provides hope that even the most entrenched divisions and animosities—whether in families, communities, or churches—can be overcome by God's transformative power.
  • The Transforming Power of Christ: The New Testament affirms that in Christ, the dividing walls of hostility are broken down (Ephesians 2:14). This verse foreshadows the spiritual unity found in Him, where distinctions that cause strife are reconciled.
  • Pursuit of Unity: For believers, it's a call to actively pursue unity and peace, letting go of envy, rivalry, and vexation, and instead fostering mutual respect and love, reflecting the character of the Messianic kingdom.

This prophecy assures us that God's ultimate plan is one of perfect harmony and reconciliation, where all internal strife among His people will finally cease.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 3:18 (6 votes)

    In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

  • Ezekiel 37:16 (5 votes)

    Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and [for] all the house of Israel his companions:

  • Ezekiel 37:24 (5 votes)

    And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

  • Hosea 1:11 (5 votes)

    Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great [shall be] the day of Jezreel.

  • Isaiah 9:21 (3 votes)

    Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Isaiah 7:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

  • Isaiah 7:6 (2 votes)

    Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, [even] the son of Tabeal: