Isaiah 35:7

KJV

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the parched ground {H8273} shall become a pool {H98}, and the thirsty land {H6774} springs {H4002} of water {H4325}: in the habitation {H5116} of dragons {H8577}, where each lay {H7258}, shall be grass {H2682} with reeds {H7070} and rushes {H1573}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the sandy mirage will become a pool, the thirsty ground springs of water. The haunts where jackals lie down will become a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus.

Berean Standard Bible

The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.

American Standard Version

And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 35:7 is a profound prophetic declaration envisioning a radical transformation and divine restoration, where desolate and dangerous landscapes are miraculously remade into lush, life-sustaining environments. This verse vividly portrays God's sovereign power to reverse barrenness and threat, bringing forth abundant life and flourishing even in the most uninhabitable spiritual and physical realms. It serves as a powerful message of hope, pointing to an ultimate era of divine blessing, redemption, and a new creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 35 stands as a glorious crescendo within the book of Isaiah, immediately following the stern pronouncements of divine judgment upon the nations, particularly Edom, detailed in chapter 34. This stark juxtaposition powerfully emphasizes the dramatic shift from divine wrath to divine redemption and restoration. Chapter 35 itself is a unified poetic vision, opening with the wilderness rejoicing and blossoming, as seen in [Isaiah 35:1](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1 - The Wilderness Blooms"), and progressing through themes of healing, strengthening the weak, and the miraculous opening of eyes and ears, articulated in [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Healing and Deliverance"). Verse 7 specifically reinforces the miraculous provision of water in the desert, a key element of the promised restoration, leading seamlessly into the description of the "Highway of Holiness" prepared for the redeemed, found in [Isaiah 35:8-10](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8-10 - The Highway of Holiness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 35 speaks to a people facing or having recently endured exile and desolation, most immediately with the Babylonian captivity in view, though its scope extends beyond that particular historical event. The imagery of "parched ground," "thirsty land," and the "habitation of dragons" (more accurately, jackals or wild dogs) evokes the desolate, dangerous, and uninhabitable nature of ruined lands in the ancient Near East. Jackals (Hebrew: *tannim*) were commonly associated with abandoned cities and wilderness areas, symbolizing utter ruin, the absence of human habitation, and a lack of divine blessing. The promise of abundant water, grass, reeds, and rushes directly counters this imagery, depicting a return to fertility and vibrant life, which were absolutely essential for survival and flourishing in an arid climate. This promised transformation would have resonated deeply with a people longing for a return to their homeland and a restoration of their national and spiritual vitality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. **Divine Transformation and Restoration** is paramount, highlighting God's unique ability to reverse seemingly irreversible conditions, turning death into vibrant life. This theme is powerfully echoed in other prophecies of renewal, such as when God promises to make rivers in barren lands in [Isaiah 41:18](/isaiah/41-18 "Isaiah 41:18 - Water in the Desert"). **Abundance in Desolation** is another crucial theme; the prophecy speaks not merely of survival but of overflowing provision, where once dangerous and barren places become lush oases. The imagery of water and flourishing vegetation signifies not just physical provision but also profound spiritual refreshment, peace, and security. Finally, the verse contributes significantly to the broader theme of **Messianic Hope and Future Glory**, pointing beyond a mere physical return from exile to the ultimate spiritual renewal and new creation brought about by God's redemptive work, often understood as culminating in the person and work of the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Parched ground (Hebrew, _shârâb'_):** This term (H8273), derived from an unused root meaning "to glare," refers to the shimmering, quivering glow of the air, creating the illusion of water in a desert—a mirage. Its transformation into a "pool" (H98, *ʼăgam*, a marsh or standing water) signifies a profound and miraculous shift from deceptive emptiness and unfulfilled expectation to tangible, life-giving reality. It underscores the complete and supernatural reversal of a seemingly hopeless situation.
* **Thirsty land (Hebrew, _tsimmâʼôwn'_):** This word (H6774) denotes a place characterized by extreme thirst or drought, a desert. It emphasizes the dire and desperate need for water. The promise that this land will become "springs of water" (H4002, *mabbûwaʻ*, a fountain or gushing source; H4325, *mayim*, water) highlights not just the presence of water, but an abundant, self-replenishing, and continuously flowing source, indicating an overflowing provision far beyond mere subsistence.
* **Dragons (Hebrew, _tannîyn'_):** While the King James Version translates this as "dragons" (H8577), in the context of desolate land, this term more accurately refers to **jackals** or wild dogs. These animals were commonly associated with ruined, abandoned, and dangerous places, symbolizing utter desolation and the absence of human habitation or divine blessing. The transformation of their "habitation" (H5116, *nâveh*, a home, den, or pasture; H7258, *rêbets*, a couch or place of repose) into a place of lush "grass" (H2682, *châtsîyr*) "with reeds" (H7070, *qâneh*) "and rushes" (H1573, *gômeʼ*) signifies the complete vanquishing of danger and desolation, replaced by beauty, safety, and abundant life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the parched ground shall become a pool":** This initial clause vividly initiates the miraculous transformation, directly countering the deceptive nature of the mirage (*shârâb*) with the tangible reality of abundant, standing water (*ʼăgam*). It signifies the complete reversal of barrenness into fertility and life-sustaining provision, turning an illusion of hope into concrete reality.
* **"and the thirsty land springs of water":** Building upon the first clause, this phrase further emphasizes the divine provision and its overflowing nature. The "thirsty land" (*tsimmâʼôwn*), desperately in need of refreshment, will not merely receive water, but "springs of water" (*mabbûwaʻ*), indicating a continuous, flowing, and abundant source, far beyond what is merely sufficient for survival.
* **"in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes":** This final clause powerfully portrays the transformation of a place of danger, ruin, and desolation—the lair of wild, unclean animals (*tannîyn*, jackals)—into a lush, verdant, and safe environment. The specific mention of "grass with reeds and rushes" (*châtsîyr*, *qâneh*, *gômeʼ*) points to a flourishing ecosystem, typically found in wetlands, symbolizing peace, safety, and abundant life where only ruin and threat once existed.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 35:7 is rich in **Imagery**, painting vivid pictures of both extreme desolation and glorious flourishing. The stark contrast between "parched ground" and "pool," "thirsty land" and "springs of water," and the "habitation of dragons" versus "grass with reeds and rushes" creates a powerful sense of **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, highlighting the dramatic and supernatural nature of God's redemptive work. The transformation described is so radical and complete that it approaches **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and miraculous extent of divine intervention. The entire verse functions as a profound **Metaphor** for spiritual and national restoration, using physical landscape changes to convey deeper theological truths about God's ability to bring life out of spiritual death and hope out of despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 35:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's redemptive character and His ultimate plan for creation and humanity. It underscores the theological truth that God is not content with desolation but actively intervenes to bring about restoration and flourishing. This divine transformation is not merely a return to a former state but an elevation to a new, more glorious reality, where the very nature of the land is changed. The provision of water in the desert is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, symbolizing divine sustenance, spiritual refreshment, and the life-giving power of God's presence and Spirit. This prophecy points to a future where God's glory will be fully revealed, and His people will experience complete peace and abundance, free from the threats of the wilderness.

* [Isaiah 43:19-20](/isaiah/43-19-20 "Isaiah 43:19-20 - New Things in the Desert")
* [Psalm 107:35-37](/psalms/107-35-37 "Psalm 107:35-37 - God Turns Deserts into Pools")
* [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 35:7 offers profound encouragement for every believer, reminding us that no situation, no matter how barren, perilous, or seemingly hopeless, is beyond the transformative power of God. Just as God promises to turn the shimmering mirage into a tangible pool and the jackal's desolate den into a lush meadow, He can bring life, healing, and hope into the most desolate areas of our lives—be they spiritual dryness, emotional wasteland, challenging circumstances, or even seemingly irreversible brokenness. This verse invites us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's faithfulness, believing that He is capable of bringing forth beauty and abundance even from ruin and despair. It calls us to look beyond present difficulties and limitations to the promised future, both in our personal journeys of sanctification and in the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, where all things will be made new and abundant, reflecting His glorious presence and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "parched ground" or "thirsty land" exists in your life today, and how does this verse speak to your hope for divine transformation and refreshment?**
* **How might the "habitation of dragons" in this verse relate to areas of fear, danger, spiritual oppression, or desolation you perceive in your own life or in the world around you?**
* **What practical steps can you take to trust God more fully for His promised restoration and abundance, even when current circumstances seem bleak or impossible?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "dragons" in this verse, and why is it sometimes translated differently?**

Answer: The King James Version's translation of "dragons" comes from the Hebrew word *tannîyn* (H8577). While *tannîyn* can refer to large aquatic or land monsters (like sea-serpents or crocodiles, as seen in [Ezekiel 29:3](/ezekiel/29-3 "Ezekiel 29:3 - Pharaoh as the Great Dragon")), in contexts describing desolate, uninhabited wildernesses, it is more accurately translated as "jackals" or "wild dogs." These animals were commonly associated with ruins and abandoned places in the ancient Near East, symbolizing utter desolation, danger, and the absence of human life or divine blessing. The significance in [Isaiah 35:7](/isaiah/35-7 "Isaiah 35:7 - Parched Ground Becomes Pool") lies in the complete reversal: a place so desolate that only dangerous wild animals inhabit it will be transformed into a lush, life-filled oasis, signifying God's radical restoration and the banishment of all that represents ruin and threat.

**Does this prophecy refer only to a physical transformation of the land?**

Answer: While the imagery in [Isaiah 35:7](/isaiah/35-7 "Isaiah 35:7 - Parched Ground Becomes Pool") is deeply rooted in physical landscape transformation, biblical prophecy often operates on multiple levels of fulfillment. It certainly speaks to a literal, physical restoration, perhaps in the context of the return from Babylonian exile or the ultimate new creation. However, as a prophetic text within a book rich in spiritual themes, it also carries profound spiritual and metaphorical meaning. It signifies God's ability to transform spiritual barrenness into flourishing life, to bring hope and joy to those in despair, and to establish His kingdom of peace and abundance. Many scholars see it pointing to the spiritual renewal brought by the Messiah and the ultimate new heavens and new earth described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - New Heaven and New Earth"), where all sorrow and suffering are banished, and God's presence brings ultimate flourishing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 35:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who brings true spiritual transformation, turning the "parched ground" of the human heart, dry and barren from sin and separation from God, into "springs of living water." Just as the prophet describes water gushing forth in the desert, Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). The "habitation of dragons," representing places of spiritual desolation, demonic influence, and the curse of sin, is conquered and transformed by Christ's victorious work on the cross and His resurrection. Through His atoning sacrifice, He triumphs over the powers of darkness, making way for the flourishing of His kingdom, where the "grass with reeds and rushes" symbolizes the abundant life, peace, and spiritual vitality found exclusively in His presence. This verse powerfully foreshadows the new creation inaugurated by Christ, where all things are made new, and the desert of human existence is made to blossom with the life of God's Spirit, culminating in the eternal city where the "river of the water of life" flows freely from the throne of God and of the Lamb ([Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1-2 "Revelation 22:1-2 - River of Life")).

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

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Isaiah 49:10

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Isaiah 34:13

And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, [and] a court for owls.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

1 John 5:19

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.