Isaiah 35 8

Isaiah 35:8 kjv

And 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.

Isaiah 35:8 nkjv

A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.

Isaiah 35:8 niv

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

Isaiah 35:8 esv

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Isaiah 35:8 nlt

And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God's ways;
fools will never walk there.

Isaiah 35 verses

Isaiah 35 8 Meaning

Isaiah 35:8 declares the establishment of a future holy way, a path where impurity is absent. Only the redeemed, those forgiven and made new, will walk this road, even the foolish will not wander from it. This signifies a perfect, uncorrupted access to God in a restored kingdom, free from sin and its consequences.

Isaiah 35 8 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the restoration of Israel and the coming of a glorious future kingdom. Chapter 35 describes a transformed wilderness, blooming like a rose, symbolizing the immense joy and security God will bring to His people after exile and suffering. The "highway" is a path of redemption, contrasted with the broken and dangerous paths of sin and apostasy. It anticipates a time of ultimate holiness and uninterrupted fellowship with God, initiated by the Messiah.

Isaiah 35 8 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (v'hayah): "And there shall be." This phrase signifies a future certainty and a pivotal declaration of a coming reality.
• שָׁם (sham): "There." Points to a specific location – the restored land, the New Jerusalem, or the presence of God.
• מְסִלָּה (mesillah): "Highway," "road," or "path." It implies a well-made, accessible way. In the context of purification, it suggests a clear and unhindered access.
• וְדֶרֶךְ (v'derekh): "And a way." Reinforces the idea of a defined passage, a course of travel.
• וְיִקָּרֵא (v'yikkare): "And it shall be called" or "named." This indicates designation and purpose, a title reflecting its nature.
• דֶּרֶךְ (derekh): "Way," "path." Repeated for emphasis on the established route.
• הַקֹּדֶשׁ (haqodesh): "The Holy One." This signifies holiness itself, a consecrated way reserved for God and His people.
• לֹא (lo): "No" or "not." A strong negation of any defilement.
• יַעַבְרֶנּוּ (ya'avrennu): "It shall pass over it" or "pass through it." Implies transit and traversal.
• טָמֵא (tameh): "Unclean" or "defiled." Refers to ritual impurity, moral corruption, or spiritual contamination.
• כִּֽי (ki): "But" or "for." Introduces the reason or condition for the preceding statement.
• הוּא (hu): "He" or "it." Refers to the Way itself, or more specifically, to God.
• לָכֶם (lakhem): "For you" or "to you." Indicates that this path is specifically for God's covenant people.
• יִהְיֶה (yihyeh): "Shall be." The future tense, confirming its establishment.
• הֹלְכִים (hol'khim): "Going" or "walking." The present participle emphasizing continuous movement along the path.
• וְאֶוֶל (v'evel): "And foolish." Refers to those who are spiritually naive, simple, or erring.
• לֹא (lo): "Not."
• יָשׁוּב (yashuv): "Return" or "wander." Implies they will not stray or lose their way.
• יִתְעָ֥וּ (yit'avu): "Wander," "err," or "go astray." They will not be lost or confused.

Words/Groups Analysis:

• "Highway and the way" (מְסִלָּה וְדֶרֶךְ): Emphasizes a prepared, accessible, and direct route. It’s not just a trail, but a properly constructed pathway, signifying divine provision and deliberate ordering.
• "The Holy Way" (דֶּרֶךְ הַקֹּדֶשׁ): This highlights the consecrated nature of the path, set apart for God and accessible only to those who are made holy by Him.
• "None unclean shall pass over it" (לֹא יַעַבְרֶנּוּ טָמֵא): This is a crucial delimitation, stressing absolute purity and separation from all forms of impurity—moral, spiritual, and ritual.
• "But it shall be for him who walks there; and the foolish shall not wander off" (כִּֽי־ה֣וּא לָ֭כֶם וְאֶ֣וֶל לֹ֣א יָשׁ֣וּב יִתְעָ֥וּ): This specifies who the path is for – the redeemed (implied by "him who walks there" and further context in Isaiah 35) – and assures that even the less wise among them will remain secure on this path, guided by divine wisdom.

Isaiah 35 8 Bonus Section

The imagery of a "highway" suggests ease of passage and safety, a stark contrast to the difficult and dangerous journeys often experienced in the wilderness or during times of oppression. This "holy way" also connects to the concept of "The Way" used in the New Testament (Acts 9:2, 19:23, 24:14), referring to the Christian faith and the path of discipleship established by Jesus Christ. The promise that "even the foolish shall not wander off" highlights God's sovereign preservation of His people within His kingdom, assuring security for all believers, regardless of their initial level of spiritual understanding. This implies a transformed nature that inherently adheres to God's way.

Isaiah 35 8 Commentary

Isaiah 35:8 is a profound prophecy pointing to the redemptive work of the Messiah. The "highway" is the pathway to salvation and God's presence, cleared of all obstacles by Christ's sacrifice. It is a "holy" way because it is consecrated through His blood, making righteous access possible. Only those "redeemed" (as indicated by verses preceding this in Isaiah 35, though not explicit in this single verse) can tread this path. This includes the "foolish"—those who are spiritually simple or may have previously strayed—but in the perfected state of God's kingdom, they will be guided and preserved, never losing their way on this secure path of holiness. It speaks of a state of perfected, unending fellowship with God, free from sin's distortion.