Isaiah 35:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

NIV: Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

NASB: Then those who limp will leap like a deer, And the tongue of those who cannot speak will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.

CSB: Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, for water will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

NLT: The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.

KJV: Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

NKJV: Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.

Isaiah 35:5–10 promises that God's redemption of Israel will include healing. The land, the people, and the nation will be restored to health and prosperity. God will provide a clear path for Israel to return to a relationship with Him. The ransomed (Matthew 10:28) people will find eternal joy and singing there, in Zion.

Isaiah paints a picture of a desert wilderness bursting into bloom and gladness. The Lord's people will see His glory and majesty. Those suffering now must reject fear because the Lord is coming to remove their enemies and save them. The blind, paralyzed, deaf, and mute will be healed. It will be like streams bursting forth in a desert, transforming burning sand into pools of cool water. The Lord's people will walk on a safe, clear path: the Way of Holiness. They will follow this path to Zion where there will be singing and everlasting joy.

Isaiah 35 follows the previous chapter's description of the judgment of the Lord on the nations of the earth (Isaiah 34) with an inversion. God will transform the wilderness into a lush, safe path for His people to come to Him. This passage concludes a series of prophetic visions. Most of Isaiah's words so far have been prophecies with occasional mention of current events. Next is an extended narrative (Isaiah 36—39) about King Hezekiah and an attempted invasion by Assyria.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).