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A baby[a] will play
over the hole of a snake;[b]
over the nest[c] of a serpent
an infant[d] will put his hand.[e]
They will no longer injure or destroy
on my entire royal mountain.[f]
For there will be universal submission to the Lord’s sovereignty,
just as the waters completely cover the sea.[g]

Israel is Reclaimed and Reunited

10 At that time[h] a root from Jesse[i] will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance,[j] and his residence will be majestic.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 11:8 tn Heb “one sucking,” i.e., still being nursed by his mother.
  2. Isaiah 11:8 tn Or perhaps, “cobra” (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NCV); KJV, ASV, NRSV “asp.”
  3. Isaiah 11:8 tc The Hebrew text has the otherwise unattested מְאוּרַת (meʾurat, “place of light”), i.e., opening of a hole. Some prefer to emend to מְעָרַת (meʿarat, “cave, den”).
  4. Isaiah 11:8 tn Heb “one who is weaned” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV).
  5. Isaiah 11:8 sn The transformation of the animal kingdom depicted here typifies what will occur in human society under the just rule of the ideal king (see vv. 3-5). The categories “predator-prey” (i.e., oppressor-oppressed) will no longer exist.
  6. Isaiah 11:9 tn Heb “in all my holy mountain.” In the most basic sense the Lord’s “holy mountain” is the mountain from which he rules over his kingdom (see Ezek 28:14, 16). More specifically it probably refers to Mount Zion/Jerusalem or to the entire land of Israel (see Pss 2:6; 15:1; 43:3; Isa 56:7; 57:13; Ezek 20:40; Ob 16; Zeph 3:11). If the Lord’s universal kingdom is in view in this context (see the note on “earth” at v. 4), then the phrase would probably be metonymic here, standing for God’s worldwide dominion (see the next line).
  7. Isaiah 11:9 tn Heb “for the earth will be full of knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” The translation assumes that a universal kingdom is depicted here, but אֶרֶץ (ʾerets) could be translated “land” (see the note at v. 4). “Knowledge of the Lord” refers here to a recognition of the Lord’s sovereignty which results in a willingness to submit to his authority. See the note at v. 2.
  8. Isaiah 11:10 tn Or “in that day” (KJV). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.
  9. Isaiah 11:10 sn See the note at v. 1.
  10. Isaiah 11:10 tn Heb “a root from Jesse, which stands for a signal flag of the nations, of him nations will inquire” [or “seek”].

The infant(A) will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s(B) nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy(C)
    on all my holy mountain,(D)
for the earth(E) will be filled with the knowledge(F) of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day(G) the Root of Jesse(H) will stand as a banner(I) for the peoples; the nations(J) will rally to him,(K) and his resting place(L) will be glorious.(M)

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