What does Isaiah 11:7 mean?

This chapter has detailed what the future kingdom of the Messiah will be like. This kingdom will be under the perfect leadership of a future descendant of David (Isaiah 11:1–5). Isaiah has said wolves, leopards, and lions will live and sleep next to lambs, goats, and calves. All of them will be led by a little child (Isaiah 11:6). Now he adds to the list to keep driving home the point. Cows and bears will graze together. Their young will take naps together. Lions will become vegetarians, eating straw instead of other animals.

Commentators see two possible ways of reading these verses. Some believe that during the reign of the Messiah on earth the very nature of the animal world will be changed. All animals will become vegetarians. Animals will no longer be divided into predator and prey with death as the inevitable outcome. This "peace" between all species of animals will demonstrate the Messiah's power over the natural world. And His power to end conflict of all kinds on the earth.

Other commentators believe Isaiah is using animals to represent tribes and nations and empires. The Messiah will provide perfect rule over the earth. The wicked will be destroyed and the poor and powerless will be provided for. Nations will no longer go to war. The need to prepare for war will cease. True peace and interdependence will replace conflict and fighting. The Messiah's rule over all is both powerful and wise, both righteous and fair.