Isaiah 11:14
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 them.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָפ֨וּ
But they shall fly
H5774
וְעָפ֨וּ
But they shall fly
Strong's:
H5774
Word #:
1 of 16
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)
בְכָתֵ֤ף
upon the shoulders
H3802
בְכָתֵ֤ף
upon the shoulders
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
2 of 16
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
3 of 16
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
יָ֔מָּה
toward the west
H3220
יָ֔מָּה
toward the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
4 of 16
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְנֵ֥י
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֥י
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
קֶ֑דֶם
of the east
H6924
קֶ֑דֶם
of the east
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
9 of 16
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
אֱד֤וֹם
upon Edom
H123
אֱד֤וֹם
upon Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
10 of 16
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וּמוֹאָב֙
and Moab
H4124
וּמוֹאָב֙
and Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
11 of 16
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
מִשְׁל֣וֹח
they shall lay
H4916
מִשְׁל֣וֹח
they shall lay
Strong's:
H4916
Word #:
12 of 16
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
יָדָ֔ם
their hand
H3027
יָדָ֔ם
their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּבְנֵ֥י
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֥י
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Joel 3:19Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.Isaiah 25:10For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.Jeremiah 49:28Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.Daniel 11:41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.Amos 9:12That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
Historical Context
Never fully achieved politically in Old Testament period. Some see future millennial fulfillment; others see spiritual fulfillment in gospel overcoming opposition. The territories named (Philistia, Edom, Moab, Ammon) represent persistent enemies of God's people. In church age, these become spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:12) conquered through gospel proclamation. United believers overcome what divided believers couldn't.
Questions for Reflection
- How does unity among believers enable spiritual victories over opposition?
- What spiritual enemies do we overcome collectively that we couldn't overcome divided?
- How do historical enemies being conquered picture the gospel's advance over opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
United, Israel and Judah will 'fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines' (conquer westward) and 'spoil them of the east together.' They'll subdue Edom, Moab, and Ammon—traditional enemies. This military victory imagery may be literal (messianic kingdom conquests) or spiritual (gospel advancing against opposition). The united people overcome enemies that previously threatened them divided. Unity produces strength; division produces vulnerability. In Christ, spiritual victories are won collectively.