Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:6
6. leap—literally, "fulfilled" (Acts 3:8; Acts 14:10). sing—joyful thanksgiving. in . . . wilderness . . . waters— (Isaiah 41:18). read more
6. leap—literally, "fulfilled" (Acts 3:8; Acts 14:10). sing—joyful thanksgiving. in . . . wilderness . . . waters— (Isaiah 41:18). read more
7. parched ground—rather, "the mirage (Hebrew, Sharab, 'the sun's heat') shall become a (real) lake." The sun's rays refracted on the glowing sands at midday give the appearance of a lake of water and often deceive the thirsty traveller (compare Jeremiah 2:13; Isaiah 41:18). dragons—rather, "jackals." each—namely, jackal. grass—rather, "a dwelling or receptacle (answering to the previous habitation) for reeds," &c. (which only grow where there is water, Job 8:11). Where once there was no... read more
Those who are alive at the end of the Tribulation will be a small remnant of believers and some unbelievers. Isaiah called the reader to encourage the exhausted and feeble believers of his or her time. They would need to keep their eyes on God. God would come to take vengeance for them and to deliver them (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6-7; Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 1:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Joshua 1:18; Revelation 13:9-10; Revelation 14:12). He would reward them; they will enter Messiah’s millennial kingdom. read more
The former limitations of these believers will end, and they will rejoice (cf. Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 29:9-12; Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 65:20; Luke 7:18-23; Acts 3:8). The Israelites’ blindness and deafness was in reference to God’s call to participate in His work. [Note: Watts, Isaiah 34-66, p. 15.] read more
Water gushing out in the arid wilderness and Arabah would be a sign of blessings that they would shortly experience (cf. Isaiah 35:1-2; Isaiah 41:18; Isaiah 43:19-20; Isaiah 44:3-4; Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The desolate resting place where only jackals lived would become verdant with grassy growth. Reversal and transformation will mark this time. read more
1. While Edom becomes a desert, for God’s people, on the other hand, the desert places burst into bloom, the fairest parts of Palestine sharing their fertile beauty with the waste places (Isaiah 35:2).7. Parched ground] RM ’mirage’: this which so often deceives travellers in the desert will become a real lake.Dragons] RV ’jackals.’8. An highway] by which the exiles may return through the desert. 9. Cp. Isaiah 51:11. read more
(3) Strengthen ye the weak hands . . .—Here the words are obviously, as they are quoted in Hebrews 12:12, figurative and not literal, and so far suggest a like interpretation for what follows. read more
(4) Be strong, fear not: . . .—The words are, of course, wide and general enough, but looking to the probable date of this section, we may perhaps connect them with the tone of Hezekiah’s speech in 2 Chronicles 32:7. Both king and prophet had the same words of comfort for the feeble and faint-hearted, and the ground of comfort is that the government of God is essentially a righteous government, punishing the oppressor, and saving the oppressed. (Comp. Joshua 1:6-7.) read more
(5, 6) Then the eyes of the blind shall . . .—The words are obviously to be interpreted, like those that precede them, and Isaiah 29:18, of spiritual infirmities. If they seem to find a literal fulfilment in the miracles of the Christ, it is, as it were, ex abundante, and as a pledge and earnest of something beyond themselves. read more
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 35:5
5, 6. Language figuratively, descriptive of the joy felt at the deliverance from Assyria and Babylon; literally, true of the antitypical times of Messiah and His miracles (see Margin references, Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:2; 2 John 1:5; 2 John 1:8; Acts 3:2). read more