Isaiah 35:6

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the lame {H6455} man leap {H1801} as an hart {H354}, and the tongue {H3956} of the dumb {H483} sing {H7442}: for in the wilderness {H4057} shall waters {H4325} break out {H1234}, and streams {H5158} in the desert {H6160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the mute person's tongue will sing. For in the desert, springs will burst forth, streams of water in the 'Aravah;

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 35:6 paints a vibrant prophetic picture of radical transformation and divine restoration, depicting a future era where physical infirmities are miraculously healed, and desolate landscapes burst forth with life-giving water. This verse is a powerful declaration of God's redemptive power, promising a reversal of cursed conditions into blessed ones, manifesting as exuberant joy and abundant provision in what was once barrenness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 35 stands as a glorious crescendo following chapters of severe judgment and desolation (e.g., [Isaiah 34](/isaiah/34 "Isaiah 34 - Judgment on Edom")). While previous prophecies detail the destruction of nations and the suffering of God's people, chapter 35 pivots dramatically to promises of future glory, restoration, and renewal for Zion and the returning exiles. It serves as a stark contrast, offering a vision of hope and blessing after a period of divine wrath. The immediate verses ([Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Desert Blooms")) describe the wilderness and desert blossoming, setting the stage for the specific miracles of healing and provision detailed in verse 6 and subsequent verses that speak of a "Highway of Holiness" ([Isaiah 35:8](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8 - The Highway of Holiness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by Assyrian aggression and the looming threat of exile. The imagery of a "wilderness" and "desert" would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience, who understood such landscapes as symbols of desolation, hardship, and divine judgment. Water, in particular, was a precious commodity, representing life, blessing, and prosperity. The promise of water breaking out in the desert, alongside the healing of the lame and dumb, would have evoked profound hope for a people facing physical and spiritual barrenness, longing for a return to a land flowing with milk and honey, reminiscent of the Exodus journey through the wilderness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and biblical prophecy. It highlights **Miraculous Healing and Restoration**, where God's power overcomes all forms of brokenness and infirmity, bringing wholeness and exuberant joy. This theme is central to the Messianic expectations, as seen in [Jesus' own ministry](/luke/7-22 "Luke 7:22 - Jesus' Miracles Confirming His Identity"). Another key theme is the **Transformation of Nature**, depicting the desert, typically barren and lifeless, bursting forth with life-giving water, symbolizing spiritual refreshing and renewal in what was once desolate. This points to God's ability to bring life and abundance in the most unexpected circumstances. Finally, the verse underscores **Divine Provision and Joy**, assuring that where there was lack, there will be overflowing abundance, leading to unhindered celebration and liberation from suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leap (Hebrew, _dâlag'_):** A primitive root meaning "to spring" or "leap." In this context, it conveys an energetic, unhindered, and joyful movement, contrasting sharply with the previous state of lameness. It suggests an exuberant expression of newfound freedom and vitality, much like a deer bounding freely.
* **tongue (Hebrew, _lâshôwn'_):** Refers to the organ of speech. Here, it is specifically the "tongue of the dumb," implying an inability to speak. Its transformation to "sing" signifies not just the restoration of speech but its elevation to an act of worship, praise, and joyful expression, overcoming a profound physical and social limitation.
* **break out (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cleave," "rend," "break forth," or "burst." This word suggests a sudden, powerful, and spontaneous gushing forth of water, not merely a trickle. It emphasizes the overwhelming and miraculous nature of God's provision, indicating an abundant and unexpected supply in a place of extreme scarcity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart":** This clause vividly portrays a miraculous physical healing. The "lame man," previously bound by infirmity, will experience complete restoration, enabling him to move with the agility, strength, and joy of a deer (hart). This is a picture of profound liberation from physical limitation and the onset of exuberant, unhindered movement.
* **"and the tongue of the dumb sing":** This parallel clause describes another miraculous healing, focusing on the restoration of speech to those who were mute. More than just speaking, the "dumb" will "sing," indicating a transformation that leads to joyful expression, praise, and perhaps even worship. It signifies the removal of a barrier to communication and the outpouring of a heart filled with newfound ability and gladness.
* **"for in the wilderness shall waters break out":** This introduces the reason or basis for the miraculous healings: God's transformative power extends to creation itself. The "wilderness," a symbol of barrenness and desolation, will suddenly and miraculously yield abundant "waters." This imagery speaks of life-giving provision in the most unexpected and seemingly impossible places, signifying a reversal of natural order by divine intervention.
* **"and streams in the desert":** This phrase reinforces and amplifies the previous one, using synonymous parallelism. "Streams" (Hebrew, _nachal_) implies flowing water, often a wadi or seasonal torrent, but here in the "desert" (Hebrew, _ʻărâbâh_, often referring to the arid Jordan valley), it signifies a permanent and abundant water source. This emphasizes the comprehensive and overflowing nature of God's provision, transforming a parched land into one of fertility and life.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 35:6 is rich with **Imagery**, painting vivid pictures of transformation: the lame leaping, the dumb singing, and water bursting forth in the desert. These images are highly **Symbolic**, representing not only literal physical healing and natural renewal but also profound spiritual restoration, joy, and divine provision. The contrast between the initial state of lameness/dumbness and barrenness versus the resulting agility/song and flowing water creates powerful **Juxtaposition**. The use of **Parallelism** ("waters break out, and streams in the desert") reinforces the message of abundant provision. The comparison "leap as an hart" is a **Simile**, effectively conveying the exuberance and freedom of the healed. The entire verse functions as **Prophecy**, foretelling a future era of divine intervention and blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 35:6 resonates deeply with the overarching biblical narrative of God's redemptive work, demonstrating His sovereign power to reverse the effects of the Fall and bring about a new creation. It speaks to a profound eschatological hope, where physical brokenness and environmental desolation are overcome by divine grace and miraculous intervention. The promise of healing and abundant life in the wilderness points to God's nature as the ultimate provider and restorer, who brings life where there is death and joy where there is sorrow. This vision of transformation is not merely physical but encompasses spiritual renewal, leading to a joyful outpouring of praise and an experience of God's overflowing presence.

* [Isaiah 41:18](/isaiah/41-18 "Isaiah 41:18 - God's Promise to Provide Water in the Desert")
* [Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47-1 "Ezekiel 47:1-12 - The River from the Temple")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain in the New Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 35:6 offers profound hope and encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is actively at work, bringing restoration and renewal even in the most desolate circumstances. It challenges us to look beyond our current limitations, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and to trust in God's miraculous power to transform barrenness into abundance, sorrow into singing, and weakness into vibrant strength. This verse invites us to cultivate a posture of expectant hope, knowing that God's ultimate plan involves complete healing and an overflowing provision of life. It calls us to recognize the signs of His kingdom breaking forth in our world and in our lives, prompting us to respond with joy and praise for His redemptive work. We are encouraged to be channels of this hope, extending God's healing and life-giving presence to those around us who are in their own "wilderness" experiences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life do you currently experience a "wilderness" or a sense of barrenness?**
* **How does the promise of the lame leaping and the dumb singing encourage you regarding areas of brokenness or limitation in your own life or the lives of others?**
* **What does the image of "waters breaking out" in the wilderness teach you about God's provision in unexpected ways?**
* **How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and praise, even in challenging circumstances, anticipating God's restorative work?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "hart" in this verse?**

Answer: The "hart" (male deer or stag) is known for its agility, strength, and graceful leaping. When the verse says the lame man will "leap as an hart," it emphasizes a complete and exuberant restoration of movement, far beyond mere walking. It signifies not just healing, but a joyful, unhindered expression of newfound vitality and freedom, contrasting sharply with the previous state of lameness.

**Does this prophecy refer only to physical healing, or is there a deeper meaning?**

Answer: While the prophecy certainly includes the promise of literal physical healing, as demonstrated in [Jesus' earthly ministry](/luke/7-22 "Luke 7:22 - Jesus' Miracles"), it carries a profound deeper meaning. The physical restoration and the transformation of the barren wilderness into a place of abundant water are powerful symbols of spiritual renewal, emotional healing, and the restoration of God's people. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work, bringing wholeness to individuals and to creation itself, foreshadowing the new heavens and new earth described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heavens and New Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 35:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who inaugurated the Messianic age where these very prophecies began to be realized. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated His divine authority by literally causing the lame to walk ([Matthew 15:30](/matthew/15-30 "Matthew 15:30 - Jesus Heals Many")), the blind to see ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")), and the dumb to speak ([Matthew 9:32-33](/matthew/9-32 "Matthew 9:32-33 - Jesus Heals a Mute Man")). His miracles were not merely acts of compassion but concrete signs that the kingdom of God had drawn near, fulfilling the prophetic expectations of Isaiah. Furthermore, Jesus Himself is the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")) who brings spiritual life to the barren "wilderness" of the human heart, transforming spiritual desolation into a wellspring of eternal life ([John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")). The exuberant joy of the healed and the transformed land foreshadows the ultimate joy and complete restoration found in Christ, culminating in the new creation where all sorrow and suffering will be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

John 5:9

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Luke 11:14

¶ And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

John 7:37

¶ In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

John 7:39

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Isaiah 32:4

The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

Matthew 9:32

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.