Isaiah – Chapter 11

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Isaiah 11 opens with the words: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root." Jesse stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: the work of the Spirit and justice and care for the poor. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.

2And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.

3And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord, He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.

4But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

5And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.

6The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them.

7The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8And the sucking child shall play on other hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk.

9They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea.

10In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.

11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand the second time to possess the remnant of his people, which shall be left from the Assyrians, and from Egypt, and from Phetros, and from Ethiopia, and from Elam, and from Sennaar, and from Emath, and from the islands of the sea.

12And he shall set up a standard unto the nations, and shall assemble the fugitives of Israel, and shall gather together the dispersed of Juda from the four quarters of the earth.

13And the envy of Ephraim shall be taken away, and the enemies of Juda shall perish: Ephraim shall not envy Juda, and Juda shall not fight against Ephraim.

14But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines by the sea, they together shall spoil the children of the east: Edom, till Moab shall be under the rule of their hand, and the children of Ammon shall be obedient.

15And the Lord shall lay waste the tongue of the sea of Egypt, and shall lift up his hand over the river in the strength of his spirit: and he shall strike it in the seven streams, so that men may pass through it in their shoes.

16And there shall be a highway for the remnant of my people, which shall be left from the Assyrians: as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Important Verses in Isaiah 11

“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.”

Isaiah 11:2

“And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.”

Isaiah 11:5

“They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea.”

Isaiah 11:9

“And the Lord shall lay waste the tongue of the sea of Egypt, and shall lift up his hand over the river in the strength of his spirit: and he shall strike it in the seven streams, so that men may pass through it in their shoes.”

Isaiah 11:15

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Isaiah was written with judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah in view. Chapter 11 of 66 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Jesse appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root." The chapter ends with: "And there shall be a highway for the remnant of my people, which shall be left from the Assyrians: as there was for…" In terms of historical background, Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

In this 16-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 2: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge,…" The passage repeatedly touches on the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2340). Here, Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

People in This Chapter

Jesse2 mentions

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Isaiah Chapter 11, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the dignity of the human person remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1502).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 11 about?

Isaiah 11 contains 16 verses. It opens with "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root." and closes with "And there shall be a highway for the remnant of my people, which shall be left from the Assyrians: as there was for…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Isaiah Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions Jesse.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Related Chapters

1 Kings 12Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Samuel 20Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 33Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer to the Holy Spirit🙏Holy Spirit Novena🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

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