The big picture
Isaiah 35 opens in verse 1 with “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”, and closes in verse 10 with “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting…” Repeated or prominent terms include blossom, desert, excellency, glory, LORD. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 10Isaiah 35:1-5
1–5: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the…
Isaiah 35:1–5 opens with “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and…” and reaches “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by blossom, excellency, glory.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Isaiah 35:1-5
King James Version1The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD , and the excellency of our God.
3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:6-10
6–10: Shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for…
Isaiah 35:6–10 opens with “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness…” and reaches “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by beast, become, break.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Isaiah 35:6-10
King James Version6Then 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.
7And 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.
8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 35:1 begins with “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 35:5 forms a natural hinge: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”
The final note
Isaiah 35:10 leaves the reader with “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words blossom, desert, excellency, glory, LORD, rejoice help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the return to Bethel require beyond travel?
The removal of foreign gods and a renewed orientation toward the God who answered Jacob.
Which relationships are remembered at Isaac's burial?
Both sons participate, despite their long history of rivalry.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.