Isaiah 11 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: "

Isaiah 11:1 means that God promised a new leader would rise from Jesse’s family line—fulfilled in Jesus—bringing hope, wisdom, and justice. For your life today, …

" And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; "

Isaiah 11:2 means God would send a leader—ultimately Jesus—completely guided by God’s Spirit, with perfect wisdom, strength, and reverence for God. For us, it shows …

" And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: "

Isaiah 11:3 means the promised Messiah will know and honor God deeply, making perfectly fair decisions, not just reacting to appearances or rumors. For everyday …

" But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. "

Isaiah 11:4 means God’s promised ruler (the Messiah) will judge fairly, defend the poor, and stop evil with His words, not corrupt power. For someone …

" And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. "

Isaiah 11:5 means the coming Messiah (Jesus) will be completely honest, fair, and dependable in everything He does. “Righteousness” and “faithfulness” are like a belt …

" 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 "

Isaiah 11:6 pictures a future where natural enemies live in peace, showing the deep harmony God will bring through His chosen King (the Messiah). It …

" And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. "

Isaiah 11:7 paints a picture of total peace: even natural enemies live safely together, and fierce animals stop harming others. It means that under God’s …

" And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. "

Isaiah 11:8 paints a picture of total peace and safety. Deadly snakes no longer harm even small children. It means that when God’s kingdom fully …

" 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. "

Isaiah 11:9 means that when God’s rule is fully recognized, there will be complete peace, safety, and fairness. No one will harm or take advantage …

" And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. "

Isaiah 11:10 means that from Jesse’s family line (King David’s father) God would raise a leader—Christ—who welcomes all nations. People from every background can come …

" And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. "

Isaiah 11:11 means God will not forget His people, even when they are scattered, hurting, or feel far from Him. He promises to gather and …

" And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. "

Isaiah 11:12 means God will one day gather His scattered people from every place on earth and bring them back together under His leadership. For …

" 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. "

Isaiah 11:13 means God will heal broken relationships and remove jealousy and rivalry among His people. Ephraim and Judah represent divided groups becoming united. For …

" But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey "

Isaiah 11:14 pictures God’s people overcoming their enemies and living in restored unity and safety. It means God will remove threats and bring peace under …

" And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. "

Isaiah 11:15 means God will remove powerful obstacles, just as he once parted waters for Israel. It pictures God clearing a path so his people …

" And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. "

Isaiah 11:16 means God will make a clear, safe way back for His scattered people, just like He rescued Israel from Egypt. It shows that …