Isaías 35
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 35
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter is obviously the reversal of Isaiah 34. The question is to whom it is addressed and when. Does this refer to the agricultural splendor of the Promised Land in the eschaton (i.e. believing faithful Jews and Gentiles)? Does this refer to the return of the Assyrian captives to Palestine (i.e. Israel)? Does this refer to the return of the Babylonian exiles by Cyrus' decree (i.e. Judah; Jer. 31:7-9)? Does this refer to the desert between Mesopotamia and Palestine being transformed into a lush highway for God's people to return to Palestine (i.e. the fastest way for returnees to come back to Palestine)? Remember, Isaiah is an anthology of his sermons, but the historical setting is not specified the sermons are not in chronological order the method of arrangement seems to be word sound plays as a way of linking sermons together these poems were delivered orally with someone besides the prophet himself writing them down This historical ambiguity allows Isaiah's predictions to apply to both the Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian exiles, as well as Cyrus II allowing refugees to return to Judah. This is where the theological concept of "inspiration" must be expanded to include later editors or compilers. Moderns do not know when or how the OT as we know it was complied or arranged.
Isaías 35:1-10
35:1 "wilderness" This word refers to the uninhabited pasture land of southern Judah (BDB 184, cf. Joel 1:19-20). ▣ "the desert" This word (BDB 851) refers to the arid, sterile land (cf. Isa. 41:18; 53:2; Joel 2:20). Notice that "wilderness" is linked to "desert" and parallel with "Arabah." ▣ "Arabah" This word (BDB 787) refers to the Jordan rift valley south of the Dead Sea (cf. Isa. 33:9). ▣ "will rejoice and blossom" The first two VERBS of Isa. 35:1 are also a parallel personification of the plants. will be glad, BDB 965, KB 1314, Qal IMPERFECT (possibly JUSSIVE in meaning), this VERB is used eight times in chapters 61-66 will rejoice, BDB 162, KB 189, Qal JUSSIVE, cf. Isa. 35:2; 25:9; this VERB is used four times in chapters 61-66, cf. Joel 2:21,23 The third VERB "blossom," "bud" (BDB 827, KB 965, Qal IMPERFECT with INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root, which shows intensity) shows how the plants (i.e. personified) rejoice. Isaiah often uses personification of natural items (cf. Isa. 33:9; 44:23; 55:12, cf. NASB Study Bible, p. 1004). The conditions of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-2) are restored; the new age has come! Verse 10 is repeated in Isa. 51:11. This is a sign of the new age of restoration (cf. Isa. 7:21-25; 27:6; 32:15; 41:8-19; 55:12-13). SPECIAL TOPIC: EDEN SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIANIC ERA NASB, NRSV, Peshitta "crocus" NKJV, JPSOA "rose" NJB, REB "asphodel" "jonquil" LXX, NET "lily" It is almost impossible to accurately identify (note TEV general term, "flowers") the flora and fauna of the Bible. The rabbis say this (BDB 287) refers to the rose, while Luther and Calvin say it refers to the lily. Anybody's guess is still a guess! A good resource about these issues is the UBS' "Helps for Translators" series, Fauna and Flora of the Bible. 35:2 "Lebanon. . .Carmel and Sharon" These three areas were famous for their lush foliage. The phrase "blossom profusely" is the Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Qal IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 827, KB 965) which denotes intensity or here, lush growth. ▣ "They will see" This seems to be a continuing of the personification of the plants. ▣ "the glory. . .the majesty" Notice the parallel between glory (BDB 458, KB 455; see SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY[ OT]) majesty (BDB 214) is used of YHWH as Victor ‒ Ps. 45:4-5 Creator ‒ Ps. 96:6; 104:1; 111:2-3 Judge ‒ Isa. 2:10 Also notice the parallel between YHWH ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. Eloah ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. 35:3-6 These verses mention several kinds of people. the exhausted (lit. "weak hands") the feeble (lit. "weak knees") those with anxious hearts (lit. "the hurried") the blind (BDB 734) the deaf (BDB 361) the lame (BDB 820) the dumb (BDB 48) YHWH uniquely cares for the poor, weak, sick, lonely, and socially ostracized. Here is a list of what God will do for them in this new day of restoration. for #1 "encourage" (BDB 304, KB 302, Piel IMPERATIVE) for #2 "strengthen" (BDB 54, KB 65, Piel IMPERATIVE) for #3 take courage, BDB 304, KB 302, Qal IMPERATIVE fear not, BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT but JUSSIVE in meaning for #4 "open the eyes," BDB 824, KB 959, Niphal IMPERFECT for #5 "open the ears," same VERB as #4 for #6 "leap like a deer," BDB 194, KB 222, Piel IMPERFECT for #7 "tongue of dumb will shout for joy," BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal IMPERFECT This is the message that Jesus sent to John the Baptist while he was in prison (cf. Matt. 11:4-5; Luke 7:20-22). The New Age is reflected in the ministry of Jesus! SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING 35:4 Notice what YHWH promises to do for His covenant people. He comes with vengeance, BDB 668, cf. Isa. 34:8; 59:17; 61:2; 63:4; Deut. 32:25; Jer. 50:28 His recompense also comes, BDB 168, cf. Isa. 59:18 (twice); 66:6, also note 65:6 He will save them, BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil JUSSIVE, cf. Isa. 25:9; 33:22; 38:20; 45:17; 49:25; 59:1; 63:1,5,9; 64:5 SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) 35:6 "For waters will break forth in the wilderness" The blooming of nature goes back to Isa. 35:1,2. The outward sign of God's spiritual presence and blessing is nature's wonderful display of beauty and growth (cf. Isa. 35:7). This was the blessing for covenant obedience from Lev. 26 and Deut. 28. See full note at Isa. 32:20. SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS 35:7 "In the haunt of jackals" The Peshitta and KJV translate this word (BDB 1072) "dragons." We have found from the Dead Sea Scrolls that animals listed in the OT often refer to the idols of the surrounding nations, therefore, this either refers to a deserted place the residence of the demonic (cf. Isa. 34:11-15) The literary reason for this poetic line is that the dry dens of the jackals are now filled with water and can support swamp grass. "its resting place" "where each lay" "a swamp" NJB, REB "their lairs" "habitation" The MT has רבצה, BDB 918, "her resting place." The NRSV changes it to לבצה, "swamp, BDB 130 (see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 692-693). The DSS scroll of Isaiah has "he lies down." The UBS Text Project, p. 81, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The jackal's den is now flooded. ▣ "Grass becomes reeds and rushes" The grass will grow as tall as reeds and rushes to show the luxurious growth of God's blessing symbolized in nature (i.e. plenty of water everywhere). 35:8 "the Highway of Holiness" This is a common theme in the book of Isaiah (cf. Isa. 26:7; 40:3-4; 42:13). This same imagery of a royal visit is used to describe the coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist claims he fulfilled the prophecy of Mal. 4:5 in preparing the way for the Lord. This is imagery for preparation of a physical road, but it has spiritual implications referring to repentance. ▣ Line 3 and line 5 speak of the same person being excluded from returning. YHWH will accompany His faithful people, therefore, any "unclean" person must be excluded. In this context, "fools" equal "the unclean." This divinely created highway of holiness is for those who have repented and believed (cf. v. 10). ▣ "fools" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOOLISH PEOPLE 35:9 "No lion will be there" The fact that vicious animals will be absent or changed into tame companions is a sign of a blessing of God (cf. Isa. 11:6-9). It is also a reversal of the threat of Lev. 26:22. SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OT ▣ "the redeemed" This term was first used in connection with the dedication of the firstborn child to God (cf. Exod. 13:13,15). The primary idea here is of deliverance from bondage at a set price. The relationship between "redeemed" (BDB 145 I, KB 169, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) in Isa. 35:9 and "ransomed" (BDB 804, KB 911, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) in Isa. 35:10 is repeated in Isa. 51:11. SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSON/REDEEM 35:10 "the ransomed of the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM. ▣ "will return" This VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERFECT) means "turn back" (i.e. repentance or change of direction). Many commentators see this (and Isa. 35:8) as a reference to the return from Babylonian exile (i.e. therefore is connected to chapters 40-66). This is surely possible because Isaiah's poems are not always arranged in chronological order. It could express "repentance" as a lifestyle (i.e. a Highway of Holiness, v. 8). SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) ▣ "Zion" This later came to be a designation for the entire city of Jerusalem (built on seven hills), in particular the temple, although the temple is geographically located on Mt. Moriah, not on Mt. Zion. SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION ▣ The returnees are characterized as the ransomed of the Lord coming with singing coming with everlasting joy having on their heads as a crown joy gladness having no sorrow having no sighing ▣ The NET Bible, p. 1242, #16, has an interesting comment. "'Joy' may be likened here to a crown (cf. 2 Sam. 1:10). The statement may also be an ironic twist on the idiom 'earth/dust on the head' (cf. 2 Sam. 1:2; 13:19; 15:32; Job 2:12), referring to a mourning practice." SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES ▣ "With everlasting joy upon their heads" The term "everlasting" is 'olam (BDB 761). SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) ▣ "And sorrow and sighing will flee away" See Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:4.