Why will the cow graze peaceably with the bear?
Radak #1: "V'Charati Lahem Bris ba'Yom ha'Hu Im Chayas ha'Sadeh v'Im Of ha'Shamayim" (Hoshe'a 2:20).
Radak #2: The lion, bear and snake (8) are a metaphor for evil beliefs. The cow and the bear will graze - the entire engagement of the Neshamah 1 will be to engage in Avodas Hashem, and not in follies of the world, "Ki Mal'ah ha'Aretz De'ah Es Hashem" (9).
Malbim: This explains what the predators will eat. They will not need to tear prey. Also the offspring will graze together, as if they are one species. Radak - Dov is a female bear - "va'Tetzenah Shetayim Dubim" (Melachim II, 2:24).
We corrected the text based on Kli Paz' text. (PF)
Will the lion truly eat straw?
Radak: It is as if it eats straw; it will not tear an animal in Eretz Yisrael [even] if it does not find a Neveilah.
Malbim: Yes. This is a bigger Chidush than a bear, which even now also eats vegetation. Now, lions eat only meat!
