Isaiah 35

Isa 35:1-10.

CONTINUATION OF THE

PROPHECY IN THE

THIRTY-FOURTH

CHAPTER.

See on

Isa 34:1,

introduction there.

1. solitary place--literally, "a dry place," without springs of

water. A moral wilderness is meant.

for them--namely, on account of the punishment inflicted according

to the preceding prophecy on the enemy; probably the blessings set forth

in this chapter are included in the causes for joy

(Isa 55:12).

rose--rather, "the meadow-saffron," an autumnal flower with bulbous

roots; so Syriac translation.

2. glory of Lebanon--its ornament, namely, its cedars

(Isa 10:34).

excellency of Carmel--namely, its beauty.

Sharon--famed for its fertility.

see . . . glory of the Lord . . . excellency--

(Isa 40:5, 9).

While the wilderness which had neither "glory" nor "excellency" shall

have both "given to it," the Lord shall have all the "glory" and

"excellency" ascribed to Him, not to the transformed wilderness

(Mt 5:16).

3. Strengthen . . . hands . . . confirm . . . knees--The Hebrew for "strengthen" refers to the strength residing in the hand for

grasping and holding a thing manfully; "confirm," to the firmness with

which one keeps his ground, so as not to be dislodged by any other

[MAURER].

Encourage the Jews, now desponding, by the assurance of the

blessings promised.

4. fearful--"hasty," Margin; that is, with a heart fluttered with

agitation.

with--the Hebrew is more forcible than the English Version: "God will come, vengeance! even God, a recompense!" The sense is the

same.

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,

Mt 11:5;

Lu 7:2;

2Jo 5, 8;

Ac 3:2).

6. leap--literally, "fulfilled"

(Ac 3:8; 14:10).

sing--joyful thanksgiving.

in . . . wilderness . . .

waters--

(Isa 41:18).

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

Jer 2:13;

Isa 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 water, water shall abound.

8. highway--such a causeway (raised way, from a

Hebrew root, "to cast up") as was used for the march of armies;

valleys being filled up, hills and other obstructions removed

(Isa 62:10;

compare

Isa 40:3, 4).

way of holiness--Hebraism for "the holy way." HORSLEY translates, "the way of the Holy One;" but the

words that follow, and

Isa 35:10,

show it is the way leading the redeemed back to Jerusalem, both the

literal and the heavenly

(Isa 52:1;

Joe 3:17;

Re 21:27);

still Christ at His coming again shall be the Leader on the way, for

which reason it is called, "The way of the Lord"

(Isa 40:3;

Mal 3:1).

it shall be for those: the wayfaring men--rather, "He (the Holy One)

shall be with them, walking in the way" [HORSLEY].

though fools--rather, "And (even) fools," that is, the simple shall

not go astray, namely, because "He shall be with them"

(Mt 11:25;

1Co 1:26-28).

9. No lion--such as might be feared on the way through the wilderness

which abounded in wild beasts, back to Judea. Every danger shall be

warded off the returning people

(Isa 11:6-9;

Eze 34:25;

Ho 2:18).

Compare spiritually,

Pr 3:17.

10. Language: literally, applying to the return from Babylon;

figuratively and more fully to the completed redemption of both literal

and spiritual Israel.

joy upon . . . heads--

(Ps 126:2).

Joy manifested in their countenances. Some fancy an allusion to the

custom of pouring oil "upon the head," or wearing chaplets in times of

public festivity

(Ec 9:8).