Isaiah 2:4
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁפַט֙
And he shall judge
H8199
וְשָׁפַט֙
And he shall judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
1 of 21
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
בֵּ֣ין
H996
בֵּ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
2 of 21
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
גּוֹי֙
against nation
H1471
גּוֹי֙
against nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
3 of 21
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְהוֹכִ֖יחַ
and shall rebuke
H3198
וְהוֹכִ֖יחַ
and shall rebuke
Strong's:
H3198
Word #:
4 of 21
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
לְעַמִּ֣ים
people
H5971
לְעַמִּ֣ים
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַבִּ֑ים
many
H7227
רַבִּ֑ים
many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 21
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙
and their spears
H2595
וַחֲנִיתֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙
and their spears
Strong's:
H2595
Word #:
10 of 21
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂ֨א
shall not lift up
H5375
יִשָּׂ֨א
shall not lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
13 of 21
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
גּוֹי֙
against nation
H1471
גּוֹי֙
against nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
14 of 21
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גּוֹי֙
against nation
H1471
גּוֹי֙
against nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
16 of 21
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
17 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִלְמְד֥וּ
neither shall they learn
H3925
יִלְמְד֥וּ
neither shall they learn
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
Cross References
Hosea 2:18And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.Micah 4:3And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.Zechariah 9:10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.Isaiah 32:18And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Psalms 46:9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.Joel 3:10Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.Psalms 82:8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.1 Samuel 2:10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Historical Context
In an era of constant warfare and Assyrian aggression, this vision offered hope beyond contemporary politics. Ancient agricultural tools being fashioned from weapons shows complete paradigm shift from violence to productivity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this vision of Christ's peaceful reign comfort you amid global violence and conflict?
- In what ways should the future hope of Christ's kingdom inform Christian perspectives on war and peace today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Universal peace under Messiah's reign reverses the curse of human violence since Cain. The transformation of weapons into farming implements (swords to plowshares, spears to pruninghooks) symbolizes the end of warfare and beginning of prosperity. Christ's righteous judgment resolves international disputes, making military preparation obsolete. This eschatological vision awaits the second coming, not gradual human progress.