Isaiah 2:4

Translations

Modern

Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Traditional

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Literal

And He will judge between the nations and will give rebuke to many peoples, and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer lift up a sword against nation, and will not they learn any more war.

Latin

Et judicabit gentes, et arguet populos multos; et conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres, et lanceas suas in falces. Non levabit gens contra gentem gladium, nec exercebuntur ultra ad prælium.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Notes

Isaiah 2:4

The kingdom of God becomes clear when conflict and violence stop. It is characterized by peace (Romans 14:17). People will either choose to cooperate or be compelled to stop fighting (Psalm 46:9). Nations will choose divine judgment instead of war (see Isaiah 1:18–20).
The words judge and arbitrate describe God's actions here, but later verses show the Messiah as the one who delivers justice (Isaiah 11:3–4). When this happens, war will end, and nations will turn their weapons into farming tools.
swords into plowshares: Compare Joel 3:10, where nations are urged to beat their plowshares into swords.

Isaiah 2:2–4

One day, God's generous salvation will reach beyond Israel and Judah. This will lead nations to come to Zion, not for war, but to receive blessings and live by God's rules.

Isaiah urged Judah to see the benefits that other nations would gain. He wanted to inspire the people of Judah (Isaiah 2:5) to feel motivated and follow the Lord, so they would not miss out on that day.

This section is almost exactly repeated in Micah 4:1–3.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Promised Kingdom Hope Beyond Judgment Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Hosea 2:18
On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.
Micah 4:3
Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war.
Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 11:6–9
The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them.
Isaiah 60:17–18
Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler.
Psalm 46:9
He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
Isaiah 32:18
Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’
Isaiah 11:3–4
And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,
Psalm 82:8
Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.
Psalm 72:3–7
May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness.

Isaiah 2:4

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