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.

ISAIAH 11:13KJV
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Isaiah 11:13 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 11:13 mean?

Isaiah 11:13 describes a future in which the divided people of Israel live without the rivalry that separated their northern and southern kingdoms. Ephraim stands for the northern kingdom, and Judah for the southern kingdom. Their relationship is no longer shaped by jealousy and hostility.

The verse follows the gathering of scattered people in verse 12. Isaiah’s picture moves from their return to the relationship between the two groups once divided by political conflict.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 11:13

  • “envy” — קִנְאָה (qin’ah): This word can mean jealousy or resentment. Here it describes the rivalry associated with Ephraim.
  • “vex” — צָרַר (tsarar): This word can mean to trouble or act as an enemy. It gives a sense of the hostile pressure Judah will no longer put on Ephraim.
  • “cut off” — כָּרַת (karat): This word can mean to cut down or remove. The phrase presents the removal of Judah’s adversaries as decisive.

Why Isaiah 11:13 matters

  • The end of conflict involves both sides. The verse names Ephraim’s envy of Judah and Judah’s troubling of Ephraim, rather than placing all the hostility on one side.
  • The gathering in verse 12 is more than a return to the same divisions. Isaiah 11:13 shows a change in the relationship among the people who are brought together.

Where else these words appear

“envy” Hebrew H7065 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 26:14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
  • Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
  • Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

“envy” Hebrew H7068 · used in 41 verses

  • Numbers 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
  • Psalms 119:139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
  • Ezekiel 5:13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

“adversaries” Hebrew H6887 · used in 56 verses

  • Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
  • Psalms 69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.