King James Version

What Does Isaiah 11:14 Mean?

Isaiah 11:14 in the King James Version says “But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: th... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. them of: Heb. the children of they shall lay: Heb. Edom and Moab shall be the laying on of their hand shall obey: Heb. their obedience

Isaiah 11:14 · KJV


Context

12

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. corners: Heb. wings

13

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

14

But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. them of: Heb. the children of they shall lay: Heb. Edom and Moab shall be the laying on of their hand shall obey: Heb. their obedience

15

And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. dryshod: Heb. in shoes

16

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
United, Israel and Judah will 'fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines' (conquer westward) and 'spoil them of the east together.' They'll subdue Edom, Moab, and Ammon—traditional enemies. This military victory imagery may be literal (messianic kingdom conquests) or spiritual (gospel advancing against opposition). The united people overcome enemies that previously threatened them divided. Unity produces strength; division produces vulnerability. In Christ, spiritual victories are won collectively.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Never fully achieved politically in Old Testament period. Some see future millennial fulfillment; others see spiritual fulfillment in gospel overcoming opposition. The territories named (Philistia, Edom, Moab, Ammon) represent persistent enemies of God's people. In church age, these become spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:12) conquered through gospel proclamation. United believers overcome what divided believers couldn't.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does unity among believers enable spiritual victories over opposition?
  2. What spiritual enemies do we overcome collectively that we couldn't overcome divided?
  3. How do historical enemies being conquered picture the gospel's advance over opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְעָפ֨וּ1 of 16

But they shall fly

H5774

to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

בְכָתֵ֤ף2 of 16

upon the shoulders

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙3 of 16

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

יָ֔מָּה4 of 16

toward the west

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יַחְדָּ֖ו5 of 16

together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

יָבֹ֣זּוּ6 of 16

they shall spoil

H962

to plunder

אֶת7 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּבְנֵ֥י8 of 16

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קֶ֑דֶם9 of 16

of the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

אֱד֤וֹם10 of 16

upon Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וּמוֹאָב֙11 of 16

and Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

מִשְׁל֣וֹח12 of 16

they shall lay

H4916

a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc

יָדָ֔ם13 of 16

their hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וּבְנֵ֥י14 of 16

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֖וֹן15 of 16

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

מִשְׁמַעְתָּֽם׃16 of 16

shall obey

H4928

audience, i.e., the royal court; also obedience, i.e., (concretely) a subject


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 11:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 11:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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