Isaiah 11:9 Meaning and Explanation
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No harm remains; knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
The Context of Isaiah 11:9
The vision culminates in a world full of God's knowledge and free from harm.
What Does Isaiah 11:9 Mean?
The peaceable kingdom is defined not by absence of animals, but by absence of harm. 'Hurt' and 'destroy' are the problem—and both vanish. This shift is not explained as a program or policy, but as a condition flowing from the earth being 'full of the knowledge of the LORD,' as universal and pervasive as water covering the sea.
Knowledge of the Lord is here the ground and cause of peace. The creatures do not harm because they know God; humanity does not prey on the vulnerable because God's presence fills the world. Peace is not imposed but emerges from universal recognition of the divine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 11:9
What does Isaiah 11:9 mean?
No harm remains; knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
What is the context of Isaiah 11:9?
The vision culminates in a world full of God's knowledge and free from harm.