Does the Bible say it?
“The lion shall lie down with the lamb”: is that the verse?
This is a slight misquote. Isaiah 11:6 actually pairs the wolf with the lamb, and puts the young lion with the calf and the fatling, all led by a little child. The lion and the lamb are both there, just not paired the way the saying puts it.
What it actually is
This is a well-loved but slightly garbled version of Isaiah 11:6. Over time people have blended the animals in the verse into a single memorable pairing of lion and lamb. It is a beautiful image, but it is not exactly what the prophet wrote.
What the Bible actually says
The passage pictures the peace of God’s coming Kingdom, where former predator and prey rest together. Christians see it fulfilled finally in Christ, who is called both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:5-6).
A better question than the quote
Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.
Meet JesusHis words and actsRead the Gospel of JohnJesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Bible say the lion shall lie down with the lamb?
- Not in those exact words. Isaiah 11:6 pairs the wolf with the lamb and the young lion with the calf. The popular phrase blends the animals together.
- What is the correct wording of Isaiah 11:6?
- The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, with a little child leading them.