Isaiah 7:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Economic devastation will reduce herds so drastically that a single man can tend just one cow and two sheep.
The Context of Isaiah 7:21
Invasion will reduce agricultural herds to minimal survival levels.
What Does Isaiah 7:21 Mean?
The judgment will bring such economic ruin that animal husbandry becomes minimal. Normally, a man would oversee large herds. But 'in that day,' a single man will be responsible for only one young cow and two sheep. This dramatic reduction illustrates how thoroughly Assyrian invasion and exile will deplete Judah's pastoral wealth and population. Whole lands will be abandoned, and what remains requires minimal labor.
The image emphasizes impoverishment and loss of productivity. What had been a functioning economy with substantial herds will be reduced to survival-level subsistence. The specificity—young cow, two sheep—shows not mere military defeat but comprehensive economic collapse affecting every sector of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 7:21
What does Isaiah 7:21 mean?
Economic devastation will reduce herds so drastically that a single man can tend just one cow and two sheep.
What is the context of Isaiah 7:21?
Invasion will reduce agricultural herds to minimal survival levels.