Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

The beast {H2416} of the field {H7704} shall honour {H3513} me, the dragons {H8577} and the owls {H1323}{H3284}: because I give {H5414} waters {H4325} in the wilderness {H4057}, and rivers {H5104} in the desert {H3452}, to give drink {H8248} to my people {H5971}, my chosen {H972}.

The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I put water in the desert, rivers in the wasteland, for my chosen people to drink,

The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

The beasts of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

Commentary

Isaiah 43:20 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign power and unfailing provision for His chosen people, set against the backdrop of their future restoration from exile.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 43, where God is reassuring the exiled Israelites of His enduring love and plan for their return. He has just declared His intention to do a "new thing" (Isaiah 43:19), surpassing even the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. The imagery of providing water in the wilderness harks back to their historical journey, but also points to a future, even more profound, deliverance and sustenance for His people as they return to their land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Transformation: God promises to supply "waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." This speaks to His ability to turn the most barren and hostile environments into sources of life and sustenance. It symbolizes not just physical water, but also spiritual refreshment and abundant blessing.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Creation: The phrase "The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls" highlights that even wild, untamed creatures will acknowledge God's mighty acts. This imagery emphasizes the undeniable and overwhelming impact of God's miraculous provision, so great that even nature recognizes its divine origin and responds with reverence.
  • God's Special Relationship with His People: The ultimate purpose of this miraculous provision is "to give drink to my people, my chosen." This reiterates God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, whom He has uniquely selected (Deuteronomy 7:6). It underscores their special status and God's commitment to their well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dragons" is tannim (ืชึทึผื ึดึผื™ื), which often refers to jackals, wolves, or large desert creatures, commonly associated with desolate places. Similarly, "owls" (benoth ya'anah - ื‘ึฐึผื ื•ึนืช ื™ึทืขึฒื ึธื”) typically denotes ostriches or other desert birds. Both terms emphasize wild, untamed animals of the wilderness. The statement is thus even more striking: even these creatures, typically unresponsive to human will, will recognize and "honour" (Hebrew: kab'duni, ื›ึผึทื‘ึผึฐื“ึปื ึดื™ โ€“ meaning to glorify or show respect) God's power when He provides for His chosen.

Practical Application

Isaiah 43:20 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God is capable of providing for us in the most unexpected and seemingly impossible circumstances. When we face our own "wilderness" experiences โ€“ be it financial hardship, emotional distress, or spiritual dryness โ€“ we can trust that God, who made rivers flow in the desert, can also bring refreshment and provision into our lives. This verse calls us to:

  • Trust in God's Unfailing Provision: He knows our needs and has the power to meet them in miraculous ways, even in the most barren situations.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: Even in chaos, God is in control, and His plans for His people will prevail, compelling even nature to acknowledge His greatness.
  • Embrace Our Identity: As God's "chosen," we are recipients of His special care and attention, called to bring Him honor through our lives and witness His transformative power.

Just as God promised to transform the literal desert for Israel, He promises to bring life and hope to our spiritual deserts today, leading us to rivers of living water.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 41:17

    [When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

  • Isaiah 48:21

    And they thirsted not [when] he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 17:14

    ยถ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

  • Psalms 148:10

    Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: