Isaiahchapter 35

10 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 263 cross-references outward and receives 304 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Wilderness and dry land are glad as the desert blossoms like the rose, receiving the glory of Lebanon and the excellency of Carmel and Sharon (vv. 1–2). Weak hands are strengthened, feeble knees confirmed, and the fearful of heart are told, Be strong, fear not: God comes with vengeance and recompense — he will come and save you (vv. 3–4). Then the eyes of the blind open, the ears of the deaf unstop, the lame man leaps as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sings — the signs Jesus cites to John's disciples in Matthew 11:5 — while waters break out in the wilderness (vv. 5–7). A highway called The way of holiness runs through it; the unclean do not pass, no lion is found, and the ransomed of Jehovah return to Zion with singing, everlasting joy on their heads, as sorrow and sighing flee away (vv. 8–10).

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

7 And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein.

9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

10 and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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