Isaiah 35:7

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Isaiah 35:7 is a profound prophecy of radical transformation and divine restoration, painting a vivid picture of abundance replacing desolation. It speaks to God's power to bring life and flourishing to the most barren and dangerous places, offering immense hope.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 35, a glorious passage that contrasts sharply with the preceding chapter's prophecies of judgment on the nations. Chapter 35 describes the future glory and redemption for God's people, often interpreted as referring to the return from Babylonian exile, the coming of the Messiah, and ultimately, the new creation. It builds upon the promise in Isaiah 35:1 that the "wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad" and "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." The entire chapter is a vision of renewal, joy, and the highway of holiness for the redeemed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Transformation and Restoration: The central message is God's miraculous ability to change the most desolate conditions into places of lush vitality. "Parched ground shall become a pool" and "thirsty land springs of water" illustrate a complete reversal of fortunes, highlighting God's redemptive power.
  • Abundance in Desolation: The imagery of water in a barren land, and "grass with reeds and rushes" where "dragons" (or jackals) once lay, signifies not just restoration but an overflowing abundance of life. God transforms places of ruin and danger into verdant oases.
  • Messianic Hope and Future Glory: This prophecy points beyond mere physical return from exile to the spiritual renewal brought by Christ and the ultimate restoration of creation. Many see parallels to the promise of no more tears or pain in the new heaven and new earth, where God's presence brings ultimate refreshment.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's translation of "dragons" for the Hebrew word tannim (תַּנִּים) is noteworthy. While tannim can sometimes refer to sea monsters or large reptiles (e.g., Ezekiel 29:3), in contexts referring to desolate lands, it more accurately refers to **jackals** or wild dogs. These animals were associated with ruined and abandoned places in the ancient Near East, emphasizing the extreme desolation and danger of the environment before God's intervention. The transformation is thus from a place of wild, unclean desolation to one of lush, life-sustaining beauty.

Practical Application

Isaiah 35:7 offers profound encouragement for anyone experiencing periods of barrenness, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. It reminds us that no situation is too desolate for God's transforming power. Just as God brings springs of water to the parched ground, He can bring life, healing, and hope to the most challenging circumstances. This verse invites us to trust in God's faithfulness and look forward to His promised restoration, both in our personal lives and in the ultimate fulfillment of His kingdom, where all things will be made new and abundant, much like the rivers God makes in the desert.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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