Isaiah 41:18 kjv
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:18 nkjv
I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:18 niv
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
Isaiah 41:18 esv
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:18 nlt
I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.
I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.
I will fill the desert with pools of water.
Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
Isaiah 41 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 35:1, 6-7 | The wilderness and the desert shall be glad...water break forth...in the desert will rivers be opened. | God's transforming power in desert |
| Psa 107:33, 35 | He turns rivers into a wilderness...He makes the wilderness a pool of water. | God's control over nature |
| Psa 147:8 | Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth. | God as provider |
| Jer 31:9 | For I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. | God's fatherly care |
| Ezk 36:35 | They will say, “This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden...” | Land's restoration |
| Rev 21:1, 5 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth...I am making all things new. | New creation |
| John 7:37-38 | Rivers of living water shall flow from his inmost being. | Spiritual refreshment |
| Rev 7:16 | They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more...for the Lamb...will be their shepherd. | Lamb's provision |
| John 4:14 | Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. | Living water |
| John 10:10 | I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | Abundant life |
| Isa 43:19-20 | Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth...I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. | Direct repetition of theme |
| Isa 44:3-4 | I will pour water on the thirsty land, and rivers on the dry ground. | Promise of water |
| Ps 65:11 | You crown the year with your goodness...streams of water. | God's goodness |
| Isa 11:16 | there will be a highway from Assyria to Egypt. | Path through wilderness |
| Deut 8:3 | Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. | Dependence on God |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. | God's provision |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. | God of comfort |
| Isa 55:1 | Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. | Invitation to the thirsty |
| Ezek 47:1-12 | Healing waters flowing from the temple. | Vision of healing |
| Rev 22:1-2 | the river of the water of life, bright as crystal...leaves of the tree of life...for the healing of the nations. | New Jerusalem |
| Gal 3:29 | if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring. | Spiritual inheritance |
Isaiah 41 verses
Isaiah 41 18 Meaning
The Lord will make streams flow in dry, barren lands and cause rivers to surge where there was no water. He will transform desolate deserts into flourishing oases, bringing abundance and life to places of emptiness and want.
Isaiah 41 18 Context
This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah that speaks of Israel's impending Babylonian exile and eventual return. In chapter 41, God is directly addressing Jacob (Israel) and assuring them of His presence and power, contrasting His might with the impotence of idols. He promises to be their helper and redeemer, vowing to make a way for them, even through impossible situations like creating paths in deserts and rivers in barren lands. This prophecy looks forward not only to national restoration but also spiritually to the messianic age and the new creation. The surrounding verses emphasize God's divine power and His commitment to His people.
Isaiah 41 18 Word Analysis
- הִנֵּה (hinneh): "Behold," "Lo," "See." An interjection used to draw attention to something significant. It signals the introduction of a divine action or revelation.
- אֲנִי (ʼanî): "I." Emphasizes the personal and active involvement of God.
- עוֹשֶׂה (ʻôśeH): "making," "doing," "creating." A present participle, indicating an ongoing or imminent action. God is the active agent of transformation.
- בַּמִּדְבָּר (bamidbar): "in the desert," "in the wilderness." Refers to arid, desolate, and unproductive land. Signifies extreme hardship and impossibility.
- פְּלַגֵּי (p lāgê): "streams," "channels," "watercourses." Plural of פֶּלֶג (péleg). Refers to flowing water, signifying life, sustenance, and movement.
- מָּיִם (mayim): "water." Essential for life, growth, and cleansing. Its presence in a dry place is miraculous.
- וּבָאֲרָצָה (ūḇāʼărătsâ): "and in the land," "and in the earth." Specifies the location of the divine action.
- נְהָרָה (nəhārâ): "rivers." From the root נהר (nahar) meaning "to flow." Indicates larger bodies of flowing water, signifying abundance and sustained life.
- וּבִישִׁמָּה (ūḇîšimmâ): "and in the desolation," "and in the waste land." Similar to midbar, emphasizes emptiness and lack of life.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "I will make in the wilderness streams": This is a powerful paradoxical statement. God's promise is to bring life-giving water to the most inhospitable environments. It’s about creation where there is no apparent means for it.
- "and rivers in the desolation": Further reinforces the scale of God's transformative power. Not just trickles, but flowing rivers in utterly barren and forsaken places. This speaks of thorough and complete renewal.
Isaiah 41 18 Bonus Section
This verse anticipates the "new thing" God promised to do in Isaiah 43:19 ("Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, is there not an issue?). Isaiah 41:18 specifically outlines the nature of this new thing: bringing life and sustenance to the forsaken. The imagery here is a prefigurement of the spiritual waters that flow from Christ, the Living Water (John 4:14), and the River of the Water of Life in Revelation 22, which heals and sustains the new Jerusalem. It speaks to God’s ultimate power to redeem, restore, and renew all of creation.
Isaiah 41 18 Commentary
Isaiah 41:18 is a declaration of God's absolute power to bring life and abundance to the barren and desolate. It's not merely about physical water, but also spiritual provision and restoration. God is capable of overcoming any obstacle, turning impossible situations into sources of blessing. This promise reassures believers that God can bring forth life and refreshment even in the driest, most difficult seasons of their lives, echoing His power to bring salvation and renewal.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When facing overwhelming challenges that seem impossible, remember God's promise to create paths and bring refreshment.
- During times of spiritual dryness, trust that God can pour out His Spirit and bring forth living water.
- When supporting those in difficult circumstances, point to this verse as a reminder of God's power to transform.