What does Isaiah 35:9 mean?
ESV: No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
NIV: No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,
NASB: No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious animal go up on it; They will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there,
CSB: There will be no lion there, and no vicious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk on it,
NLT: Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
KJV: No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
NKJV: No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there,
Verse Commentary:
Please see our chapter commentary on Isaiah 35; verse-level content coming soon!
Verse Context:
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.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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).
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