What does Isaiah 11 verse 6 mean?

Answer 1

Isaiah 66 is a summary of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the end times. It covers the contempt God puts upon ceremonial as opposed to moral obedience, the cessation of the temple and sacrificial offerings, the salvation and deliverance of the Jews from their oppressors, the inclusion of the Gentiles, vengeance of God upon those who oppose His church, the triumph over enemies, and resulting peace.

Answer 2

"And the wolf 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."

According to Maimonides (Laws of kings 12:1), this verse need not be literal; it could allude to a future time of no war. Others might interpret it literally (Talmud, Berakhot 34b).

Since the time of the future Redemption will begin in a more or less natural state of affairs, and then grow increasingly miraculous (Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 1:1), we may suggest that both interpretations are true - at first the allegorical one, and later the literal one.

The entire chapter - and in fact much of Isaiah's book in general - seems to talk about a time when God will send someone to improve conditions on Earth. The "wolf dwelling with the lamb", etc. seems to me to be a clear symbolic reference to a time when there will be less fighting (among humans - not literally among animals, in my opinion) - a time of world peace. In other words, nations that used to be enemies (symbolized by wolf versus lamb, etc.) will live together in harmony. Or at least without waging open warfare.

Answer 3

"And the wolf 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."

According to Maimonides (Laws of kings 12:1), this verse need not be literal; it could allude to a future time of no war. Others might interpret it literally (Talmud, Berakhot 34b).

Since the time of the future Redemption will begin in a more or less natural state of affairs, and then grow increasingly miraculous (Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 1:1), we may suggest that both interpretations are true - at first the allegorical one, and later the literal one.

Answer 4

You can never really understand a passage in The Bible without looking at the context, which in this case means looking all the way back to Isaiah chapter 9. It also helps to understand that Israel and Judah had often been rivals and sometimes bitter enemies, although modern Judaism tends to skim over this. Israel's defeat by Assyria came about because the northern kingdom threatened to invade Judah, which looked to Assyria for assistance.

Isaiah chapter 9 tells about the impending defeat of the enemy, Israel (9:12,14): "Aram on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth ... Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day." In chapter 10, God regrets the total destruction of Israel, and Isaiah predicts that a few will return (10:21), assuring the people of Jerusalem that they will not suffer the same fate (Having defeated Israel, Assyria turned its attention on Judah). So, the defeat and dispersal of the Israelites is the broader context.

The specific context is in verses 11:11-13: The dispersed people of Israel (or 'Ephraim') will return from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Shinar, Hamath and faraway islands, and there will be peace between Israel and Judah. In other words, peace will reign, so much so that (Isaiah 11:6) "the wolf 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."

The prophecy of the return by the Israelites never came true, and no longer can, since the descendants of the original Israelites are no longer identifiable.

For more information, please visit: http://christianity.answers.com/bible/the-book-of-isaiah-explained

Answer 5

The entire chapter - and in fact much of Isaiah's book in general - seems to talk about a time when God will send someone to improve conditions on Earth. The "wolf dwelling with the lamb", etc. seems to me to be a clear symbolic reference to a time when there will be less fighting (among humans - not literally among animals, in my opinion) - a time of world peace. In other words, nations that used to be enemies (symbolized by wolf versus lamb, etc.) will live together in harmony. Or at least without waging open warfare.