Isaiah 35 2

Isaiah 35:2 kjv

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 the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Isaiah 35:2 nkjv

It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God.

Isaiah 35:2 niv

it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 35:2 esv

it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.

Isaiah 35:2 nlt

Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the LORD will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 35 verses

Isaiah 35 2 meaning

Isaiah 35:2 proclaims a glorious transformation of the desert and dry lands, portraying them as blossoming abundantly and rejoicing with intense gladness. This profound change is attributed to the impartation of the natural grandeur and beauty found in regions like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon. The ultimate purpose and result of this spectacular renewal is for people to witness and recognize the majestic glory and inherent greatness of God Himself. It foretells a future where desolation gives way to vibrant life and the visible splendor of creation points directly to the Creator's power and magnificence.

Isaiah 35 2 Context

Isaiah 35 stands as a brilliant prophecy of future restoration and joy, often referred to as "the highway of holiness." It directly follows chapters 34, which detail God's devastating judgment on Edom and other nations, painting a picture of desolation and utter ruin. In stark contrast, chapter 35 pivots dramatically to depict a radical, miraculous transformation for God's redeemed people and the land they inhabit. This transformation encompasses physical nature, making deserts fruitful, as well as the healing of human afflictions. The historical context for Isaiah's original audience would have been the threat of Assyrian invasion, followed by prophecies of Babylonian exile. This chapter provides immense hope beyond these immediate or foreseen national crises, pointing towards a divinely initiated renewal that transcends the present suffering, looking ultimately to the Messianic age and new creation.

Isaiah 35 2 Word analysis

• It shall blossom profusely:
  • blossom profusely (Hebrew: perach perach) literally means "to blossom, it shall blossom." The repetition emphasizes the intensity, certainty, and abundance of flowering. It denotes a vigorous and unrestrained outburst of floral life.
  • This implies a complete reversal of barrenness, signifying life and beauty where there was none.
• and rejoice and exult with joy and singing:
  • rejoice (Hebrew: gîl) signifies a trembling, quivering joy, a profound inner happiness.
  • exult (Hebrew: ranan) means to cry aloud, shout for joy, or sing with joy, suggesting an outward expression of exhilaration.
  • The accumulation of terms for joy ("rejoice," "exult," "joy," "singing") highlights an overwhelming, multifaceted, and unrestrained celebration that will permeate the transformed land. It’s not just relief, but ecstatic delight.
• The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it:
  • glory (Hebrew: kābôd) signifies weight, splendor, honor, renown, majesty. It can refer to physical splendor or inherent worth.
  • Lebanon was famous for its majestic cedar forests, symbolizing strength, beauty, grandeur, and resilience.
  • This phrase indicates that the barren land will not merely be green, but imbued with a majestic, awe-inspiring beauty, reminiscent of Lebanon's famous grandeur. This glory is an imparted gift.
• the splendor of Carmel and Sharon:
  • splendor (Hebrew: hādār) denotes honor, majesty, ornament, or beautiful attire. It's related to the idea of adornment and excellence.
  • Carmel was renowned for its fertility, rich vineyards, orchards, and pastoral beauty.
  • Sharon (often associated with the "rose of Sharon") was a fertile coastal plain, known for its pastures and beautiful flowers.
  • The inclusion of Carmel and Sharon emphasizes lush productivity, abundant fruitfulness, and exquisite beauty, not just grandeur. These are distinct aspects of the land's restored glory.
• they will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God:
  • they will see points to a universal, undeniable revelation. This transformation is a sign intended to be witnessed by people.
  • glory of the LORD (Hebrew: kābôd Yahweh) refers to the manifest presence and inherent divine magnificence of God, often associated with light, fire, and power in scripture.
  • majesty (Hebrew: hādār) here describes God's kingly dignity, splendid authority, and inherent greatness.
  • The ultimate purpose of the land's transformation is to showcase God Himself. The natural beauty serves as a testimony to His power and nature. The our God is a personal affirmation by the redeemed.

Isaiah 35 2 Bonus section

The imagery of "the glory of Lebanon" being given to the desert speaks to a theological principle where God doesn't just make barren things productive, but He bestows upon them the very highest qualities and beauties of the natural world. It implies that the divine restoration is not just a recovery but an elevation, a surpassing of the former condition. The "seeing" of God's glory is a central theme in prophetic literature, signifying not just intellectual acknowledgment but a profound experiential encounter. This verse points to a future where divine beauty will be undeniably manifested, inviting adoration and proclaiming God's triumph over all forms of decay and death, reflecting an eschatological vision of beauty and abundance far surpassing human capability.

Isaiah 35 2 Commentary

Isaiah 35:2 unfolds a vibrant prophecy, deeply contrasted with the desolation often foretold elsewhere in Isaiah regarding judgment. It vividly illustrates a divine intervention that utterly reverses nature's course, turning parched, lifeless regions into luxuriant havens. This transformation is depicted not just as a natural renewal, but as a supernatural impartation – the land receives the "glory of Lebanon" and the "splendor of Carmel and Sharon," suggesting a divine grafting of exceptional beauty and fertility onto barrenness. This isn't merely returning to an original state, but an enhanced, supernaturally endowed splendor.

The multifaceted language of joy and exultation – "blossom profusely," "rejoice," "exult," "joy," "singing" – conveys an unrestrained, overwhelming celebration, far beyond mere relief. It speaks of creation itself bursting forth in jubilant praise, an echo of humanity's redeemed joy. Critically, this astounding botanical and geographical makeover is not an end in itself. Its ultimate purpose is teleological: "they will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God." The created beauty becomes a transparent window into the Creator's inherent worth, power, and kingly magnificence. This verse prefigures both the literal return from Babylonian exile, the flourishing of the early church through spiritual regeneration, and ultimately the glorious new heavens and new earth, where God's splendor is fully revealed and permeates all creation. It’s a message of ultimate hope and divine reversal, where God takes the most unlikely candidates for beauty and productivity and saturates them with His own visible glory.