Isaiah 35

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:5

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened - The images in this verse and the following are those of joy and exultation. They describe the times of happiness when God would come to save them from their foes. This passage is so accurate a description of what the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, did, that it doubtless refers to the miracles which he would perform. In not a few instances did he in fact restore the blind to sight, giving thus the most unequivocal proof that he was the Messiah sent from God... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:6

Then shall the lame man leap - This was literally fulfilled after the coming of the Messiah Acts 14:10; Acts 3:8. It is an emblem of the general joy which the coming of the Messiah would impart, and is an instance of the blessings which it would convey.As an hart - The word used here denotes the stag, or male deer. In Arabic it denotes the wild, or mountain-goat. The word sometimes refers to any species of deer or antelope, and this is referred to here from its quick and sprightly nature.And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:7

And the parched ground shall become a pool - The idea is the same here as in the previous verse, that under the Messiah there would be blessings as great as if the parched ground’ should become a lake of pure and refreshing water. The words ‘parched ground,’ however, probably do not convey the sense which Isaiah intended. The image which he had in his eye is much more beautiful than that which is denoted by the ‘parched ground.’ Lowth translates it, ‘The glowing sand.’ The Septuagint, Ἄνυδρος... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:8

And an highway shall be there - (see the note at Isaiah 11:16). This is language which is derived from the return of the Jews from captivity. The idea is, that there would be easy and uninterrupted access to their own land. The more remote, though main idea in the mind of the prophet seems to have been, that the way of access to the blessings of the Messiah’s reign would be open and free to all (compare Isaiah 40:3-4).And a way - It is not easy to mark the difference between the word “way” (דרך... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:9

No lion shall be there - Lions abounded in all the countries adjacent to Palestine. They are, therefore, often referred to by the sacred writers, as objects of dread and alarm. The leading idea in the language of Isaiah in this whole passage, is that of a way constructed from Babylon to Judea, so straight and plain that the most simple of the people might find it and walk in it. But such a path would lie through desert sands. It would be in the region infested with lions and other wild beasts.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the Lord - The word rendered here ‘ransomed,’ is different from the word rendered ‘redeemed’ in Isaiah 35:9. This word is פדוּיי pedûyēy from פדה pâdâh; though it is not easy, perhaps not possible, to designate the difference in the sense. Doubtless there was a shade of difference among the Hebrews, but what it was is not now known. See this word explained in the note at Isaiah 1:27. The language here is all derived from the deliverance from Babylon, and the images... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 35

A.M. 3279. B.C. 725. In this chapter we have, (1,) The flourishing state of the church, after the overthrow and destruction of its enemies. (2,) An exhortation to the ministers of the church to confirm and comfort the weak and afflicted people of God, from the certain hope of this benefit. (3,) An enarration of the privileges of the church at this time; such as, Illumination, Isaiah 35:5 . Alacrity in duty, Isaiah 35:6 . A diffusion of grace among persons of all orders, and in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 35:1

Isaiah 35:1. The wilderness and solitary place, &c. As the land of the church’s enemies, which had enjoyed many external blessings and comforts, shall be turned into a desolate wilderness, as was declared in the foregoing chapter, so, on the contrary, Emmanuel’s land, or the seat of God’s church and people, which formerly was barren and despised, like a wilderness, shall flourish exceedingly. We have more than once had occasion to observe, that by the wilderness is generally meant the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 35:2

Isaiah 35:2. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice Great shall be the prosperity and felicity of God’s church in these gospel days. Spiritual blessings are often set forth under the emblems of fruitfulness and plenty, as the reader may see, Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 30:23; Isaiah 32:15, and elsewhere. The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, &c. The prophet goes on to express the great change which should be made in the Gentile world by the gospel. For Lebanon was a mountain famous... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 35:3-4

Isaiah 35:3-4. Strengthen ye the weak hands Ye prophets and ministers of God, comfort and encourage his people, who are now ready to faint, with hopes of that salvation which, in due time, he will work for them. The prophet mentions hands and knees, because the strength or weakness of any man eminently appears in those parts. Say to them that are of a fearful heart Who, because of their own weakness and the strength of their enemies, are discouraged and cast down: Hebrew, לנמהרי לב , ... read more

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