Isaiah 43 20

Isaiah 43:20 kjv

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

Isaiah 43:20 nkjv

The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.

Isaiah 43:20 niv

The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

Isaiah 43:20 esv

The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,

Isaiah 43:20 nlt

The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
the jackals and owls, too,
for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
so my chosen people can be refreshed.

Isaiah 43 verses

Isaiah 43 20 Meaning

Isaiah 43:20 speaks of God's dramatic, miraculous provision for His chosen people, which is so profound that even wild, desolate creatures are depicted as recognizing and honoring Him for it. It emphasizes the complete reversal of desolation through the gift of life-giving water in the most barren of places, highlighting God's power to transform circumstances specifically for the benefit and sustenance of His beloved covenant people. This act of divine redemption prompts an acknowledgment of God's glory from all of creation, even its untamed parts.

Isaiah 43 20 Context

Isaiah 43:20 is embedded in the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah chapters 40-55), a section largely addressed to the exiles in Babylon or looking forward to their return to Judah. The overarching theme is Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty, His steadfast love for Israel, and His ultimate plan of redemption. Chapters 40-48 particularly emphasize God's unique power as the Creator and Redeemer, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of other nations.

Specifically, verses 18-21 in chapter 43 proclaim God's intention to do a "new thing," superseding the glorious deliverance of the Exodus. This new act of salvation involves transforming the desert into a well-watered pathway for the returning exiles. Verse 20 provides vivid imagery of this transformation, emphasizing the abundant provision God will grant. It speaks to a discouraged and downtrodden Israel, reassuring them of God's enduring covenant and His capability to act in utterly unexpected and magnificent ways to save them and glorify His name. Historically and culturally, this resonates with the ancient Near Eastern understanding of deserts as symbols of desolation and death, making the provision of water a powerful metaphor for life and divine blessing. It also implicitly refutes pagan deities, as no other god could orchestrate such a radical environmental and salvific reversal.

Isaiah 43 20 Word analysis

• The wild animals (חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה - ḥayyat haśśāḏeh): Refers to creatures living in uninhabited, often wild and desolate areas, like beasts of the field. This group then is specified by the following words.
• honor me (תִכַּבְּדֵנִי - tikkabdēnî): From the root כ.ב.ד (kābad), meaning "to be heavy," hence "to be honored, glorified, treated with respect, to bring glory to." It implies not mere acknowledgment, but an active response of recognition and homage, even from creatures usually associated with danger or remoteness from human society. This honor is due to God's powerful action.
• the jackals (תַּנִּים - tannîm): Often associated with desolation and places of judgment (e.g., Isa 34:13; Jer 9:11). Their "honoring" God is particularly striking, signaling a profound reversal—even symbols of curse are subdued and give glory to God for His redemptive acts.
• and the ostriches (וּבְנוֹת יַעֲנָה - ûvenōt yaʿănâ): Literally "daughters of the ostriches," an idiomatic Hebrew expression for ostriches. Like jackals, ostriches dwell in desolate regions, emphasizing the extremity of the wilderness where God provides.
• because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,: This clause explains why the wild animals honor God. It underscores the divine act of provision as the catalyst for their acknowledgment.
  • wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bammidbār): A desolate, uncultivated, sparsely vegetated region. A symbol of impossibility for sustained life without supernatural intervention.
  • wasteland (וּנְהָרוֹת בִּישִׁימוֹן - ûneḥārōt bîšîmōn): An even more barren and dry desert or empty place. The parallelism intensifies the picture of extreme desolation being utterly transformed.
• to give drink to my chosen people: This final phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and beneficiary of God's miraculous provision.
  • to give drink (לְהַשְׁקוֹת - lᵉhašqôt): A Hiphil infinitive construct, emphasizing God's active, intentional action of sustaining life.
  • my chosen people (עַמִּי בְחִירִי - ʿammî bᵉḥîrî): A deeply significant term affirming Israel's covenantal status as special to God, chosen for His purposes and recipient of His unique love and care. This provision is not for everyone but specifically targeted at those whom He has called out.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the ostriches": This powerful imagery suggests even the most untamed and often symbols of desolation within creation recognize and acknowledge God's majestic power. Their reverence is an unbidden response to divine action, demonstrating God's complete sovereignty even over creatures typically beyond human control, affirming the comprehensive reach of His glory.
• "because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland": This phrase details the extraordinary reason for the animals' honor. It highlights God's ability to utterly transform the most inhospitable environments. The "new thing" announced in v.19 is epitomized by life-sustaining water in death-defying landscapes, signifying God's overcoming of all obstacles. This goes beyond natural processes, showcasing a divine, miraculous intervention.
• "to give drink to my chosen people": This culminating purpose clause underscores God's deep and personal commitment to His covenant people. All of His glorious and transformative actions, including this astounding act of desert watering, are ultimately directed towards sustaining, refreshing, and redeeming Israel. The wild animals' recognition, therefore, indirectly serves as a testament to God's care for His beloved.

Isaiah 43 20 Bonus section

The imagery in Isaiah 43:20, particularly the "wild animals" and "jackals and ostriches" honoring God, serves a dual purpose beyond simple awe. It suggests that even elements of creation that represent chaos, desolation, or symbols of divine judgment (like jackals dwelling in ruined places, Jer 9:11) will ultimately yield to God's redemptive power and wisdom. Their recognition is not for themselves directly receiving water to live (though implied for general creation), but specifically for the reason God is providing the water: "to give drink to my chosen people." Thus, their honor becomes a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant, amplifying the message that if even the wild recognizes God's hand in saving Israel, how much more should Israel itself trust and respond. This also echoes the idea that creation itself anticipates and participates in the glory of God's redemptive work, a theme subtly connected to New Testament insights about creation groaning for the redemption of God's children (Rom 8:19-22).

Isaiah 43 20 Commentary

Isaiah 43:20 presents a powerful affirmation of God's transformative power and unwavering devotion to His covenant people. Following the declaration of a "new thing" in verse 19—a new exodus surpassing the first—this verse vividly illustrates the scale of divine provision. God promises to bring an abundance of life-giving water to the most barren of environments: the wilderness and wasteland. This isn't merely a natural event but a supernatural intervention, signifying God's complete reversal of adverse circumstances. The astonishing detail is that even the wild creatures—jackals and ostriches, often associated with desolation and God's judgment—are depicted as recognizing and honoring God for this incredible act. Their tribute highlights that God's glorious acts are so profound they elicit acknowledgment from all creation, even from its wildest parts. The ultimate purpose of this spectacular provision is "to give drink to my chosen people," affirming God's tender, purposeful care for Israel, His elect, ensuring their sustenance and reminding them of His faithfulness, even amidst their most desolate journeys back from exile. This verse is a testament to God's omnipotent care, making the impossible possible for His beloved.