Isaiah 11:12
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָשָׂ֥א
And he shall set up
H5375
וְנָשָׂ֥א
And he shall set up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נֵס֙
an ensign
H5251
נֵס֙
an ensign
Strong's:
H5251
Word #:
2 of 12
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
לַגּוֹיִ֔ם
for the nations
H1471
לַגּוֹיִ֔ם
for the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
3 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְאָסַ֖ף
and shall assemble
H622
וְאָסַ֖ף
and shall assemble
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
4 of 12
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
8 of 12
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Zephaniah 3:10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.Isaiah 56:8The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.Isaiah 11:10And 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 43:6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;Psalms 147:2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.Zechariah 10:6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.Psalms 68:22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
Historical Context
Politically, northern and southern kingdoms were divided since 930 BC and never fully reunited. Spiritually fulfilled in Christ, who breaks down dividing walls (Ephesians 2:14), uniting all believers. The 'ensign for the nations' is the cross, to which God draws all peoples. The church fulfills this as one body despite ethnic, national, and historical divisions. Perfect unity awaits new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ crucified serve as the ensign/banner that gathers God's people?
- What ancient divisions does Christ heal in His church today?
- How can we promote the unity Christ died to achieve among His dispersed people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God will raise an 'ensign' (banner/standard) for the nations, gathering dispersed Israel and Judah from earth's four corners. The banner represents Christ lifted up (John 3:14; 12:32), around whom all nations rally. Gathering from 'four corners' indicates comprehensive, worldwide collection. Both northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom (Judah) are reunited—healing ancient division. This describes both political reunion and spiritual unity in Christ, where all believers become one.