Isaiah 35 1

Isaiah 35:1 kjv

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

Isaiah 35:1 nkjv

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;

Isaiah 35:1 niv

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus,

Isaiah 35:1 esv

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;

Isaiah 35:1 nlt

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

Isaiah 35 1 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Isa 35:2"It shall blossom abundantly..."Fulfillment of flourishing
Isa 35:6"The parched ground shall become a pool..."Transformation of dryness
Isa 41:18"I will open rivers in high places..."Divine provision
Isa 43:19"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth..."New creation
Isa 44:3"For I will pour water on the thirsty land..."Spiritual refreshment
Psa 72:6"May he descend like rain upon mown grass..."Blessing from kingship
Psa 84:6"who pass through the Valley of Baca make it a well..."Transformative journey
Psa 96:12"Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them..."Nature's response
Psa 107:35"He turns a wilderness into a pool of water..."God's deliverance
Psa 132:15"I will satisfy her provision with bread..."God's abundant provision
Jer 31:12"they shall come and sing for joy on the height of Zion..."Restoration of Zion
Hos 14:5"I will be like the dew to Israel..."God's grace
Hos 14:7"They shall return and live by his grain..."Revival and prosperity
Joel 2:22"Be glad, O land; rejoice and be exceedingly glad..."Celebration of fertility
Joel 2:23"Be glad, O children of Zion..."Joy in salvation
John 1:14"the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."Incarnation as fulfillment
John 3:30"He must increase, but I must decrease."John the Baptist's role
John 7:38"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said..."Living water
Acts 8:30-35Ethiopian eunuch's conversion and baptismBaptism's transformative power
1 Cor 1:30"But by his doing you are in Christ Jesus..."Christ as wisdom and righteousness
2 Cor 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..."New creation in Christ
Rev 21:4"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes..."Heavenly restoration
Rev 21:5"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"God making all things new
Rev 22:1"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life..."River of life
Rev 22:2"The tree of life was in the midst of the street..."Tree of life

Isaiah 35 verses

Isaiah 35 1 Meaning

The wilderness and the desolate land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus. This verse vividly portrays a transformation of barren, lifeless places into scenes of joy and abundant life. It signifies a radical reversal of fortunes, where desolation gives way to beauty and gladness.

Isaiah 35 1 Context

Isaiah 35 stands as a powerful prophetic oracle of hope and restoration. It paints a picture of the Messianic age, where God's divine presence would bring about a radical transformation of both the natural world and His people. The chapter follows a series of judgments and warnings, offering a stark contrast of future blessings. It describes the future flourishing of the land, the vindication of God's people, and the coming of salvation, culminating in a prophecy of God's direct presence. This particular verse sets the stage for this detailed description of a redeemed creation.

Isaiah 35 1 Word Analysis

  • וְ (wə) - "and"; a common conjunctive particle.
  • תָּגִיל (tagil) - "shall be glad" or "shall rejoice"; imperfect verb from the root גיל (gil), meaning to rejoice greatly, to exult.
  • מִדְבָּר (midbar) - "wilderness," "desert"; a desolate, uncultivated land.
  • וְצִיָּה (wəṣiyyâ) - "and desolation" or "and barren land"; from the root ציה (ṣiyyâ), emphasizing dryness and emptiness.
  • וְתִשְׂמַח (wətiśmaḥ) - "and shall rejoice" or "and shall be glad"; imperfect verb from the root שמח (śamaḥ), meaning to be glad, to be joyful.
  • צִיָּה (ṣiyyâ) - "desert," "wilderness"; similar to the earlier "ṣiyyâ", highlighting the arid, uninhabited nature.
  • וּפָרַח (ūp̄araḥ) - "and shall blossom"; imperfect verb from the root פרח (paraḥ), meaning to bloom, to flourish.
  • כְּמוֹ (kəmo) - "as," "like"; a simile.
  • חֲבַצֶּלֶת (ḥăḇaṣṣelet) - "crocus" or "lily" or "rose"; the exact botanical identification is debated, but it consistently refers to a beautiful, fragrant, and delicate flower that typically blooms in the spring after rain, symbolizing beauty and life emerging from seemingly barren conditions.

Isaiah 35 1 Bonus Section

The prophetic imagery of nature rejoicing with and blossoming for God’s presence is a recurring theme in Isaiah, preparing the audience for a comprehensive restoration. The selection of "ḥăḇaṣṣelet" (crocus/lily) is significant as these flowers often emerge in the desert after the seasonal rains, symbolizing life's triumph over aridity and appearing in humble, beautiful form, echoing the humble beginnings of the promised salvation. This chapter as a whole is seen by many Christian traditions as a significant messianic prophecy pointing towards the healing and redemptive work of Christ. The concept of barrenness being turned into fruitfulness is a direct reflection of the spiritual re-birth that occurs through faith in God, a theme emphasized throughout the New Testament, particularly in passages speaking of new creation.

Isaiah 35 1 Commentary

Isaiah 35:1 powerfully proclaims a future era of supernatural transformation and joy, extending even to the most desolate places. It is a divine promise that God's redemption is not merely spiritual but also affects the physical realm, bringing forth beauty and vitality where only barrenness existed. The "wilderness" and "desolation" are not simply geographical descriptions but also metaphorical representations of sin's impact and the spiritual emptiness of the world apart from God. The verse uses "rejoice" and "blossom" to signify an active, enthusiastic response of the land to God's life-giving presence, mirroring the joy that His people will experience. The simile of the crocus highlights the suddenness and striking beauty of this renewal. This verse sets a scene of hope that finds ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who brings life and transformation to the spiritually barren, making all things new.