Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְע֣וּ
shall feed
H7462
יִרְע֣וּ
shall feed
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
3 of 20
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
כְאֶחָ֗ד
together
H259
כְאֶחָ֗ד
together
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
כַּבָּקָ֣ר
like the bullock
H1241
כַּבָּקָ֣ר
like the bullock
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
6 of 20
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
תֶּ֔בֶן
straw
H8401
תֶּ֔בֶן
straw
Strong's:
H8401
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, material, i.e., (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and used for fodder)
עָפָ֣ר
and dust
H6083
עָפָ֣ר
and dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
10 of 20
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
לַחְמ֑וֹ
meat
H3899
לַחְמ֑וֹ
meat
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
11 of 20
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָרֵ֧עוּ
They shall not hurt
H7489
יָרֵ֧עוּ
They shall not hurt
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשְׁחִ֛יתוּ
nor destroy
H7843
יַשְׁחִ֛יתוּ
nor destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
15 of 20
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֥ר
mountain
H2022
הַ֥ר
mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 20
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Cross References
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.Revelation 14:1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.Isaiah 35:9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:Isaiah 65:11But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.Acts 9:1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Ezekiel 43:11And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.Micah 7:17They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
Historical Context
The pre-fall creation knew no predation or death (Genesis 1:29-30). The fall brought cosmic curse (Genesis 3:14-19, Romans 8:20-22). This prophecy looks beyond the cross to the consummation when creation is liberated from bondage to decay (Romans 8:21). Partial fulfillment occurs presently as the gospel transforms human relationships (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:14-16), but complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return and the new creation (Revelation 21:1-5). Then former enemies will dwell in perfect harmony, all violence ceasing, paradise fully restored except for Satan's permanent exile (Revelation 20:10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the transformation of predator-prey relationships symbolize comprehensive redemption?
- What does Satan's continued curse (dust as food) teach about the permanence of divine judgment?
- How does creation's restoration relate to human redemption and the cosmic scope of Christ's work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The chapter culminates with reconciliation in creation: "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat." This echoes Isaiah 11:6-9, prophesying dramatic transformation of animal nature—predators becoming herbivores, natural enmities ceasing. The wolf and lamb feeding together, the lion eating straw, symbolize complete peace and restoration. The serpent's curse (Genesis 3:14, "dust shalt thou eat") continues, distinguishing Satan's permanent judgment from creation's restoration. The verse concludes: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." Lo-yare'u velo-yashchitu (not hurt and not destroy) promises complete cessation of violence. "My holy mountain" represents God's entire kingdom. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the cosmic scope of redemption. Christ's work reconciles not just people to God but all creation (Colossians 1:20, Romans 8:19-22). The curse is reversed, paradise regained, with one exception—Satan's judgment stands. The new creation is characterized by perfect peace.