Isaiah 11:14
New International Version
They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia to the west; together they will plunder the people to the east. They will subdue Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

New Living Translation
They will join forces to swoop down on Philistia to the west. Together they will attack and plunder the nations to the east. They will occupy the lands of Edom and Moab, and Ammon will obey them.

English Standard Version
But they shall swoop down on the shoulder of the Philistines in the west, and together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put out their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.

Berean Standard Bible
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; Together they shall plunder the people of the East; They shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; And the people of Ammon shall obey them.

New American Standard Bible
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west; Together they will plunder the people of the east; They will possess Edom and Moab, And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them.

NASB 1995
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west; Together they will plunder the sons of the east; They will possess Edom and Moab, And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them.

NASB 1977
And they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west; Together they will plunder the sons of the east; They will possess Edom and Moab; And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west; Together they will plunder the sons of the east; They will stretch out their hands over Edom and Moab, And the sons of Ammon will obey them.

Amplified Bible
Ephraim and Judah will [unite and] swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines toward the west; Together they will plunder the sons (Arabs) of the east. They will possess Edom and Moab, And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them.

Christian Standard Bible
But they will swoop down on the Philistine flank to the west. Together they will plunder the people of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they will swoop down on the Philistine flank to the west. Together they will plunder the people of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.

American Standard Version
And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together shall they despoil the children of the east: they shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, they will get together and attack the Philistines in the west. Then they will defeat the Edomites, the Moabites, and the Ammonites in the east. They will rule those people and take from them whatever they want.

English Revised Version
And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together shall they spoil the children of the east: they shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia in the west. Together they will loot the people of the east. They will conquer Edom and Moab. The people of Ammon will be subject to them.

Good News Translation
Together they will attack the Philistines on the west and plunder the people who live to the east. They will conquer the people of Edom and Moab, and the people of Ammon will obey them.

International Standard Version
But they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west, and they will plunder the people to the east. They'll lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Majority Standard Bible
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

NET Bible
They will swoop down on the Philistine hills to the west; together they will loot the people of the east. They will take over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.

New Heart English Bible
They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the people of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the people of Ammon will obey them.

Webster's Bible Translation
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards 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.

World English Bible
They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they have flown on the shoulder of the Philistines westward, "" Together they spoil the sons of the east, "" Edom and Moab sending forth their hand, "" And sons of Ammon obeying them.

Young's Literal Translation
And they have flown on the shoulder of the Philistines westward, Together they spoil the sons of the east, Edom and Moab sending forth their hand, And sons of Ammon obeying them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they flew upon the shoulder of the rovers to the sea; together shall they plunder the sons of the east: Edom and Moab the sending forth of their hand, and the sons of Ammon their audience.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines by the sea, they together shall spoil the children of the east: Edom, and Moab shall be under the rule of their hand, and the children of Ammon shall be obedient.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they will fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines through the sea; together they will plunder the sons of the east. Idumea and Moab will be under the rule of their hand, and the sons of Ammon will be obedient.

New American Bible
But they shall swoop down on the foothills of the Philistines to the west, together they shall plunder the people of the east; Edom and Moab shall be their possessions, and the Ammonites their subjects.

New Revised Standard Version
But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west, together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But they shall fly upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the sea; they shall plunder them of the east together; they shall stretch out their hands against Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall fly on the shoulder of the Philistines over the Sea, and together they shall plunder the children of the East; into Adum and into Moab they shall stretch out their hands and the children of Ammon shall obey them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; Together shall they spoil the children of the east; They shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; And the children of Ammon shall obey them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall fly in the ships of the Philistines: they shall at the same time spoil the sea, and them that come from the east, and Idumea: and they shall lay their hands on Moab first; but the children of Ammon shall first obey them

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Root of Jesse
13Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. 14They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. 15The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 49:28-33
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ...

Ezekiel 25:14
I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Obadiah 1:18-19
Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken. / Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

Zephaniah 2:8-10
“I have heard the reproach of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who have taunted My people and threatened their borders. / Therefore, as surely as I live,” declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, “surely Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.” / This they shall have in return for their pride, for taunting and mocking the people of the LORD of Hosts.

Amos 1:11-12
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”

Psalm 60:8-9
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” / Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Psalm 108:9-10
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” / Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Numbers 24:17-18
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. / Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.

2 Samuel 8:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Kings 14:25
This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher.

1 Chronicles 18:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

Zechariah 9:13-15
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. / Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south. / The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar.

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

Luke 1:68-71
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. / He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, / as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, ...

Romans 15:12
And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

the Philistines

Obadiah 1:19
And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

Zephaniah 2:5
Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

Zechariah 9:5-7
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited…

toward

Isaiah 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 66:19,20
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles…

Matthew 8:11
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

spoil

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Jeremiah 49:28
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.

Ezekiel 38:1
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

them of the east.

Isaiah 25:10
For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.

Isaiah 34:5,6
For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment…

Isaiah 60:14
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Jump to Previous
Ammon Ammonites Attacking Children East Edom Extend Flown Fly Forth Goods Hand Hands Lay Moab Obey Obeying Philistia Philistines Plunder Possess Power Sending Shoulder Shoulders Slopes Spoil Subject Swoop Together Towards United West Westward
Jump to Next
Ammon Ammonites Attacking Children East Edom Extend Flown Fly Forth Goods Hand Hands Lay Moab Obey Obeying Philistia Philistines Plunder Possess Power Sending Shoulder Shoulders Slopes Spoil Subject Swoop Together Towards United West Westward
Isaiah 11
1. The peaceable kingdom of the Branch out of the root of Jesse
10. The victorious restoration of Israel, and vocation of the Gentiles.














They will swoop down
The imagery of "swooping down" evokes the picture of a bird of prey descending swiftly and powerfully upon its target. In Hebrew, the word used here can imply a sudden and decisive action. This phrase suggests a divinely empowered and unstoppable force, reminiscent of God's deliverance and judgment. Historically, this reflects the swift and decisive victories that God grants His people when they are aligned with His will.

on the slopes of Philistia to the west
Philistia, located to the west of Israel, was historically a persistent adversary of the Israelites. The "slopes" may refer to the geographical features of the region, indicating a strategic advantage. This phrase signifies the overcoming of long-standing enemies, symbolizing God's promise of victory over those who oppose His people. The westward direction also symbolizes moving towards the setting sun, perhaps indicating the end of an era of oppression.

together they will plunder
The word "together" emphasizes unity among God's people, a recurring theme in Scripture where unity leads to strength and success. "Plunder" indicates the taking of spoils, a common practice in ancient warfare, symbolizing not just victory but also the transfer of wealth and power. This reflects the blessings and restoration that come when God's people act in harmony with His purposes.

the people of the east
The "people of the east" likely refers to the nomadic tribes and nations east of Israel, such as the Midianites or the descendants of Ishmael. Historically, these groups often posed threats to Israel. This phrase underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to subdue any opposition, fulfilling His promises to protect and prosper His chosen people.

They will lay hands on Edom and Moab
Edom and Moab, descendants of Esau and Lot respectively, were often hostile neighbors to Israel. "Laying hands on" suggests a firm grasp or control, indicating dominance and subjugation. This phrase highlights the fulfillment of God's justice and the reversal of fortunes for those who have opposed His people. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

and the Ammonites will be subject to them
The Ammonites, like the Moabites, were descendants of Lot and frequently in conflict with Israel. Being "subject to them" implies a complete submission and acknowledgment of Israel's authority. This phrase illustrates the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the peace that comes when His order is established. It is a prophetic vision of the messianic age when all nations will recognize the sovereignty of God through His anointed one.

(14) They shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines . . .--The English version is ambiguous, and half suggests the thought that the Philistines should bear the returning Israelites as on their shoulders; so the LXX. gives, "And they shall speed their wings in the ships of the aliens." What is meant, however, is that the returning exiles shall swoop down, as a bird of prey after its flight, "upon the shoulder of the Philistines," that name being applied (as in Ezekiel 25:9; Joshua 15:10) to the shape of the seaward- sloping country occupied by that people. From this victorious onset in the West, they are to pass on to "the children of the East," the generic name for the nomadic tribes that are found associated with the Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 6:3; Judges 6:33; Judges 7:12), and in Isaiah 2:6, with the Philistines themselves, and then to complete their triumph by avenging themselves on their old enemies of Edom, and Moab, and Ammon. The whole verse is singularly characteristic of what has been already spoken of as the limitation of prophetic knowledge. The seer has had revealed to him the glory of the Messianic kingdom as a restored Eden, full of the knowledge of Jehovah, the Gentiles seeking light and salvation from it. Suddenly he blends this with anticipations that belong to the feelings and complications of his own time. He sees Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, in that far future. They will be then, as they were in his own times, the persistent foes of Israel (comp. Zephaniah 2:7-9), but will be, at last, subdued. . . . Verses 14-16. - THE UNITED CHURCH SHALL TRIUMPH OVER ITS ENEMIES. PHYSICAL OBSTACLES TO ITS UNION GOD WILL REMOVE. Israel's most persistent enemies had been the border-nations of the Philistines, the Edomites, the Arabs, Moab and Ammon. These are now taken as types of the enemies of the Church, and victory over them is promised (ver. 14). A further promise is made that physical difficulties shall not prevent the return of the Jewish exiles from distant countries (vers. 15, 16). Verse 14. - They shall fly upon the shoulders of the philistines. It is not to be supposed that actual war is intended. The subjects of the Prince of Peace will not draw the sword. But the Church will for many centuries be confronted by enemies, and must contend with them with legitimate weapons. It is this warfare of which Isaiah now speaks. The united Church will be strong enough to assail her enemies on all sides, and will "swoop" upon the border country of the Philistines like a bird of prey. They shall spoil them of the east; or, the Bent Kedem. The phrase is commonly used in an ethnic sense of the nomadic Arabs inhabiting the deserts east of Jordan, beyond the Ammonite and Moabite country, from whose raids Palestine frequently suffered (see Jeremiah 49:28, 29; Ezekiel 25:4, 10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They will swoop down
וְעָפ֨וּ (wə·‘ā·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5774: To fly, to faint

on the slopes
בְכָתֵ֤ף (ḇə·ḵā·ṯêp̄)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3802: The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anything

of the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

to the west;
יָ֔מָּה (yām·māh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

together
יַחְדָּ֖ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

they will plunder
יָבֹ֣זּוּ (yā·ḇōz·zū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 962: To spoil, plunder

the people
בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the east.
קֶ֑דֶם (qe·ḏem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

They will lay
מִשְׁל֣וֹח‪‬ (miš·lō·wḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4916: A sending out, presentation, seizure

their hands
יָדָ֔ם (yā·ḏām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

on Edom
אֱד֤וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

and Moab,
וּמוֹאָב֙ (ū·mō·w·’āḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

and the Ammonites
וּבְנֵ֥י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

will be subject to them.
מִשְׁמַעְתָּֽם׃ (miš·ma‘·tām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 11:14 They will fly down on the shoulders (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 11:13
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