Isaiah 35

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 35

1¶ The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

2It 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 the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

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

4Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; 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.

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

7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.

8And an 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 those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein].

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

10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah 35 prophesies a glorious transformation of the wilderness, which will blossom and rejoice, reflecting God's glory. God promises to come with salvation, opening the eyes of the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, and enabling the lame to leap and the dumb to sing, as waters break forth in the desert. A "Way of Holiness" will be established for the redeemed, upon which they will return to Zion with everlasting joy, free from sorrow and sighing.

Medium Summary

This chapter vividly portrays a future era of divine restoration, beginning with the barren wilderness transforming into a fertile, blossoming landscape, reflecting the glory of God. A call is issued to strengthen the weak and fearful, assuring them that God will come with vengeance and recompense to save. Miraculous physical healings are promised: the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the dumb will sing, accompanied by the miraculous appearance of water in the desert. A sacred "Way of Holiness" will be prepared, exclusively for the redeemed, where no unclean person or dangerous beast may tread. Along this path, the ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion, filled with songs and everlasting joy, as all sorrow and sighing flee away.

Long Summary

Isaiah 35 opens with a prophetic vision of the natural world's radical transformation, where the desolate wilderness and solitary place will rejoice and blossom abundantly like a rose, reflecting the glory and excellency of the Lord. This divine intervention is accompanied by an exhortation to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, and to encourage the fearful heart with the assurance that God will come with vengeance and recompense to save His people. Following this divine advent, a series of miraculous physical restorations are foretold: the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame man shall leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. These wonders are paralleled by a miraculous change in the landscape, as waters break out in the wilderness, streams appear in the desert, and parched ground becomes pools and springs, even in the former habitation of dragons. Central to this restoration is the establishment of "The way of holiness," a sacred highway upon which no unclean person or ravenous beast shall pass. This path is reserved solely for the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord. Along this secure and holy way, the ransomed will return to Zion, not in fear or sorrow, but with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, obtaining gladness and seeing all sorrow and sighing flee away. The chapter thus paints a picture of complete spiritual and physical renewal, culminating in the triumphant and joyful return of God's people.

Core Concepts

  • Transformation of NatureThe desert and wilderness are prophesied to blossom abundantly, becoming fertile and joyful, with water breaking forth in parched lands, symbolizing a complete renewal of creation.
  • Divine Healing and RestorationGod promises to miraculously open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, enable the lame to leap, and the dumb to sing, demonstrating His power to restore all physical ailments.
  • Strengthening the WeakA direct command is given to encourage and fortify those with weak hands, feeble knees, and fearful hearts, assuring them of God's imminent salvation and recompense.
  • The Way of HolinessA special, sacred highway will be established, reserved exclusively for the redeemed, where no unclean person or dangerous beast can trespass, ensuring a safe passage.
  • Return of the Redeemed to ZionThe ransomed of the Lord are promised a triumphant return to Zion, characterized by songs, everlasting joy, and the complete absence of sorrow and sighing.
  • God's Vengeance and SalvationThe chapter emphasizes that God Himself will come with vengeance and recompense, not merely to punish, but actively to save and deliver His people from their afflictions.