Isaiah 11:7
New International Version
The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

New Living Translation
The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow.

English Standard Version
The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall 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.

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

New King James Version
The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

New American Standard Bible
Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

NASB 1995
Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

NASB 1977
Also the cow and the bear will graze; Their young will lie down together; And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Amplified Bible
And the cow and the bear will graze [together], Their young will lie down together, And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Christian Standard Bible
The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones 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.

Contemporary English Version
Cows and bears will share the same pasture; their young will rest side by side. Lions and oxen will both eat straw.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Cows and bears will eat together. Their young will lie down together. Lions will eat straw like oxen.

Good News Translation
Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do.

International Standard Version
The cow and the bear will graze, and their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

NET Bible
A cow and a bear will graze together, their young will lie down together. A lion, like an ox, will eat straw.

New Heart English Bible
The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

World English Bible
The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And cow and bear feed, "" Together their young ones lie down, "" And a lion eats straw as an ox.

Young's Literal Translation
And cow and bear do feed, Together lie down their young ones, And a lion as an ox eateth straw.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the heifer and the bear shall feed together, and their young shall lie down; and the lion shall eat straw as the ox.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The calf and the bear will feed together; their young ones will rest together. And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

New American Bible
The cow and the bear shall graze, together their young shall lie down; the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

New Revised Standard Version
The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the cow and the bear shall feed together; and their young ones shall grow up together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The cow and the bear shall feed as one and their offspring shall lie down as one; the lion shall eat straw like an ox
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the cow and the bear feed; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the ox and bear shall feed together; and their young shall be together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Root of Jesse
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.…

Cross References
Isaiah 65:25
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.

Hosea 2:18
On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.

Genesis 1:29-30
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Romans 8:19-22
The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. / For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ...

Ezekiel 34:25
I will make with them a covenant of peace and rid the land of wild animals, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.

Isaiah 35:9
No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it.

Isaiah 65:17
For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Micah 4:3-4
Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war. / And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken.

Isaiah 2:4
Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”

Psalm 72:3
May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness.

Isaiah 32:18
Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.

Isaiah 55:12-13
You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. / Instead of the thornbush, the cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, the myrtle will spring up; this will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”

Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Isaiah 11
1. The peaceable kingdom of the Branch out of the root of Jesse
10. The victorious restoration of Israel, and vocation of the Gentiles.














The cow will graze with the bear
This phrase envisions a time of peace and harmony in creation, reflecting a return to the conditions of the Garden of Eden before the fall of man. In the natural world, cows and bears are not companions; bears are predators, and cows are prey. This imagery symbolizes the removal of enmity and the establishment of a new order under the reign of the Messiah. It echoes the prophetic vision of peace found in Isaiah 65:25, where the wolf and the lamb feed together. This transformation is often interpreted as a metaphor for the peace that Christ brings, reconciling not only humanity but all of creation.

Their young will lie down together
The image of young animals lying down together suggests safety and trust, a stark contrast to the current natural order where the young of prey animals must be constantly vigilant. This phrase emphasizes the complete and pervasive peace that will characterize the Messianic age. It also reflects the biblical theme of God as a shepherd who provides safety and rest for His flock, as seen in Psalm 23. The peaceful coexistence of these animals serves as a type of the peace and unity that Christ brings to His people, breaking down barriers and fostering reconciliation.

And the lion will eat straw like the ox
Lions are carnivorous by nature, so the idea of a lion eating straw like an ox is a radical transformation of nature. This phrase suggests a return to the original diet of animals as described in Genesis 1:30, where all creatures were given plants for food. It symbolizes the complete restoration and renewal of creation under the Messiah's rule. This transformation can be seen as a type of the transformative power of Christ, who changes the nature of those who follow Him, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17. The imagery also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, where there will be no more death or destruction.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's prophecies often focus on the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom.

2. Messianic Kingdom
The future reign of the Messiah, characterized by peace and harmony, as depicted in Isaiah 11.

3. Animals (Cow, Bear, Lion, Ox)
Symbolic representations of natural enemies living in harmony, illustrating the peace of the Messianic age.
Teaching Points
Peaceful Coexistence
The imagery of natural enemies living in harmony serves as a powerful metaphor for the peace that Christ brings, not only in the future kingdom but also in our lives today.

Transformation through Christ
Just as the nature of animals is transformed, so too are we transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ (Romans 12:2).

Hope for the Future
Isaiah 11:7 provides a vision of hope and restoration, encouraging believers to look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises.

Living in Harmony
As followers of Christ, we are called to live in peace with others, breaking down barriers and fostering unity (Ephesians 4:3).
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 11:7?

2. How does Isaiah 11:7 illustrate harmony in God's future kingdom?

3. What does "the cow will graze with the bear" symbolize for believers today?

4. How can Isaiah 11:7 inspire us to pursue peace in our communities?

5. Connect Isaiah 11:7 with Romans 8:21 on creation's liberation from corruption.

6. How does Isaiah 11:7 encourage trust in God's ultimate plan for peace?

7. How does Isaiah 11:7 symbolize peace in the Messianic age?

8. What is the significance of the cow and bear grazing together in Isaiah 11:7?

9. Does Isaiah 11:7 suggest a literal or metaphorical transformation of nature?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 11?

11. Can the lion and the lamb coexist peacefully?

12. How can the claim that predator and prey will coexist peacefully (Isaiah 11:6–7) be reconciled with established scientific understanding of animal behavior?

13. Did animals consume each other before the fall?

14. How do these prophecies in Isaiah 11 compare with other biblical texts that seem to describe different scenarios for the Messiah and end times?
What Does Isaiah 11:7 Mean
The cow will graze with the bear

• Isaiah speaks of a future Messianic age in which even natural enemies share the same peaceful pasture. “The cow will graze with the bear” (Isaiah 11:7) pictures literal herbivorous harmony restored to creation.

• Cross references:

Isaiah 65:25 “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox …” confirms the same scene in the same prophet.

Genesis 1:29-30 shows God’s original design: humans and beasts alike ate plants before the fall, illustrating that a return to Eden-like peace is in view.

Romans 8:21-22 speaks of creation being liberated from corruption, explaining why the animal kingdom itself is transformed.

• Significance:

– Reveals the scope of Christ’s reign—He reconciles all things, not humans only (Colossians 1:20).

– Demonstrates that God keeps literal promises about land, animals, and nations.

– Encourages believers to long for and live in light of the coming kingdom’s peace.


Their young will lie down together

• Harmony is generational: “their young will lie down together.” Predator and prey offspring rest side by side, free from fear.

• Cross references:

Hosea 2:18 “In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field … I will abolish bow and sword and war from the land, so that all may lie down in safety”.

Ezekiel 34:25 promises a “covenant of peace” with beasts, matching Isaiah’s vision.

• Implications:

– Shows safety at the most vulnerable level—young animals. If the defenseless are safe, all creation is safe.

– Illustrates the total removal of the curse’s hostility (Genesis 3:15 repercussions reversed).

– Underscores the Messiah’s shepherd-king role in protecting the weakest (Isaiah 40:11).


The lion will eat straw like the ox

• The fiercest carnivore becomes herbivorous: “the lion will eat straw like the ox.” This is not metaphor; it is a supernatural, literal re-ordering of animal nature under Messiah’s rule.

• Cross references:

Daniel 6:22 “My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions” previews God’s power to tame predators.

Psalm 104:21 shows lions depending on God for food; in the coming age He changes the menu entirely.

Isaiah 35:1 describes deserts blooming; likewise, diets of wild beasts bloom into peaceful grazing.

• Lessons:

– Highlights the comprehensive redemption purchased by Christ—sin’s impact on biology itself is overturned.

– Reinforces the certainty of future glory: if lions can eat straw, any present impossibility is no obstacle to God.

– Calls believers to trust the literal promises of Scripture and to anticipate God’s creative restoration.


summary

Isaiah 11:7 pictures the literal peace of Messiah’s forthcoming reign: cows and bears share pasture, their calves rest together, and lions graze like oxen. These images echo Eden, anticipate the millennial kingdom, and assure us that Christ’s redemption heals all creation. The passage invites confidence in God’s faithfulness and stirs hope for the day when the Prince of Peace brings total harmony to earth.

Verse 7. - The lion shall eat straw (comp. Isaiah 65:25). There is nothing impossible in this. Cats are fond of some kinds of vegetable food.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The cow
וּפָרָ֤ה (ū·p̄ā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6510: A heifer, cow

will graze
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה (tir·‘e·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

with the bear,
וָדֹב֙ (wā·ḏōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1677: The bear

their young
יַלְדֵיהֶ֑ן (yal·ḏê·hen)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

will lie down
יִרְבְּצ֣וּ (yir·bə·ṣū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

together,
יַחְדָּ֖ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

and the lion
וְאַרְיֵ֖ה (wə·’ar·yêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

will eat
יֹֽאכַל־ (yō·ḵal-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

straw
תֶּֽבֶן׃ (te·ḇen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8401: Material, refuse haum, stalks of grain

like the ox.
כַּבָּקָ֥ר (kab·bā·qār)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 11:7 The cow and the bear will graze (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 11:6
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