The Bible — World English Bible

Isaiah 35

In brief

Isaiah 35 is a poem of hope addressed to a threatened and discouraged people. The desert rejoices and blossoms, weak hands are strengthened, and those with fearful hearts receive this word: be strong, here is your God, he will come and save you. The prophet openly announces signs of restoration: eyes opened, ears opened, waters in the wilderness. A holy way opens, on which the redeemed walk as they return to Zion with songs of joy, with no more sorrow.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-2The desert rejoices and sees the glory of the Lord
  2. v. 3-4Strengthen the weak: here is your God, he comes to save you
  3. v. 5-7Eyes open, the lame leap, water springs up in the desert
  4. v. 8-10The holy way and the return of the redeemed to Zion

1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.

2It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh’s glory, the excellence of our God.

3Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.

4Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

6Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

7The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.

8A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.

9No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.

10Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

Key verses

Verse 3-4
Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm. Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.

Before the announcement of wonders, a call to encourage the weak. Courage does not rest on an effort of will: God himself comes, he does not delegate salvation.

Verse 5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Blind, deaf, lame, mute: the picture announces the time of salvation. Jesus points to it when John the Baptist asks whether he is the one who is to come (Matthew 11).

Verse 8
A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.

The holy way is a road already laid out, reserved for those whom God has redeemed. Christians see Jesus himself in it, who is the way to the Father.

Verse 10
Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

The redeemed return with everlasting joy, while sorrow and sighing flee away. The chapter ends on a hope that looks beyond the present situation.

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What the sermons say

John 9: Jesus Sees the Blind Man No One Else NoticedÉric Lehrmann reads the healing of the man born blind as a sign that fulfills Isaiah 35:5, according to which the eyes of the blind will be opened. Jesus thus reveals that he is the light of the world.Read the summary →“Are You the One Who Is to Come?” Discerning the Signs of the KingdomStéphane Guillet starts from the question of John the Baptist in prison. Jesus answers with Isaiah 35 and 61, and the holy way of verse 8 is a road already opened: Jesus himself, toward Zion in joy.Read the summary →20 Bible Verses to Overcome FearAmong the verses about fear, Isaiah 35:4 speaks to troubled hearts, not to heroes. The invitation to take courage rests on a promise: God himself comes.Read the summary →An Elusive Joy Walking Beside YouAfter Christmas, Stéphane Guillet speaks of a joy from heaven that comes to meet us. He cites Isaiah 35:10: the redeemed will return with everlasting joy, a joy that walks beside us in the meantime.Read the summary →A Healthy Eye in LifeStarting from John 9, this sermon recalls that Jesus sees first the one who needs help the most. It cites Isaiah 35:5: then the eyes of the blind will be opened.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 35

What does Isaiah 35:5 mean?

The verse announces that the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf will be opened when God comes to save. In the Gospels, Jesus points to these signs to show that the Kingdom has arrived. Believers also see in it a spiritual opening: understanding and recognizing God.

What is the main message of Isaiah 35?

God himself comes to save his people, and his coming transforms the desert, the weak and the exiles. The chapter encourages those whose hearts are troubled and announces a return in joy, along the holy way. It is a page of hope for those going through a dry season.

What is the holy way of Isaiah 35:8?

It is the road on which the redeemed walk as they return to Zion. It is reserved for those whom God has delivered, and it is safe enough that no one gets lost on it. Christians often see in it an image of Jesus, who said he is the way.

Articles quoting Isaiah 35

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World English Bible translation — public domain.