it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse uses a powerful Hebrew grammatical construction, "blossoming it shall blossom," to emphasize not just that the desert will bloom, but that this blooming will be incredibly abundant and complete, a sign of overwhelming divine transformation. This richness is then compared to the most renowned and beautiful landscapes of Israel—Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon—indicating that God's presence will bestow unparalleled splendor and fruitfulness. The ultimate climax is not just the beauty of the land, but that "they shall see the glory of the LORD," meaning the most magnificent aspect of this renewal is the revelation of God's own majesty to those who witness it.
it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage bursts forth from a vision of a desolate wilderness being transformed into a lush paradise, directly following the proclamation of God's judgment and restoration. The surrounding verses describe a future where God's people are redeemed and the land itself flourishes, making the vivid imagery of abundant blossoming and singing in verse 2 a direct consequence of God's saving power. This vibrant renewal, symbolized by the transferred glory of renowned natural landscapes like Lebanon and Carmel, ultimately points to the people seeing the splendor and majesty of God Himself.
Imagine a place so dry and desolate that life itself seems impossible. Isaiah uses vivid imagery to show this wasteland not just surviving, but thriving.
This verse paints a picture of radical transformation. The desert, a symbol of emptiness and lack, is described as 'blossoming abundantly.' This isn't just a little growth; it's an explosion of life and beauty.
But it's more than just scenery. The text says this blossoming comes with 'joy and singing.' This isn't a quiet bloom; it's a celebration! It shows that God's work of renewal brings not just physical life, but also deep, audible joy.
The renewal described here is so profound that it surpasses the most beautiful and fertile places in the land of Israel, like Mount Lebanon, the beautiful Mount Carmel, and the fertile plains of Sharon.
Isaiah pulls in the most stunning natural landscapes to describe this transformation. But why these specific places, and what does it mean for the Source of all this beauty?
The verse mentions 'the glory of Lebanon' and 'the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.' These were places renowned for their majestic cedars (Lebanon), breathtaking beauty (Carmel), and rich fertility (Sharon).
Isaiah uses these earthly excellences as a measuring stick, suggesting that the renewed wilderness will possess a beauty and abundance comparable to, or even exceeding, these famed locations. It's like saying a simple patch of earth is going to be gifted the splendor of a royal garden.
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But crucially, this borrowed beauty is a prelude to the ultimate vision: 'They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.' The stunning transformation of the land isn't the end goal. It's a powerful sign pointing to the greater glory and majesty of God Himself, who is the source and sustainer of all beauty and life.
Understand the original words
kavod · Hebrew Noun
Divine radiance, splendor, or weightiness; it refers to the visible manifestation of God’s presence and character, often associated with His holiness and saving power.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in Israel, revealing Him as the self-existent One who enters into a relationship with His people and fulfills His promises.
hadar · Hebrew Noun
The royal splendor, greatness, or dignity belonging to a king or God; it signifies the awe-inspiring beauty and power of the Creator.
Isaiah 35 vividly contrasts the desolation of exile with the future restoration under God's reign. The imagery of a blossoming wilderness and the return of exiles speaks powerfully to a people who had lost their land, their Temple, and their hope.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins prophesying in Judah during a period of political uncertainty and looming Assyrian threat, offering messages of judgment and hope.
734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Syria attack Judah. Isaiah urges King Ahaz to trust God, not Assyria, but Ahaz seeks Assyrian aid.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
Assyria conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and scattering them. This event underscores the consequences of unfaithfulness.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. A miraculous deliverance occurs, saving the city.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Babylon begins deporting Judean elites to Babylon, including Daniel. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile, a period of national devastation.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population. Judah ceases to exist as an independent nation.
539 BC
Cyrus's Decree and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
This passage echoes the imagery of Lebanon and Carmel, linking the natural beauty and glory of these famous places to the restoration and flourishing of God's people, just as Isaiah 35:2 does.
Jeremiah 31:12This verse speaks of the redeemed coming to Zion with singing and joy, and their land being like a well-watered garden, directly paralleling the joy, singing, and flourishing described in Isaiah 35:2.
Luke 1:78-79This passage refers to the 'tender mercy of our God' by which the 'sunrise shall visit us from on high,' bringing light to those in darkness and guiding feet into the way of peace, reflecting the restorative and illuminating power implied in Isaiah 35:2.
Revelation 21:23This future vision describes the New Jerusalem having no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it and the Lamb is its light, connecting the ultimate divine glory seen in Isaiah 35:2 with the fulfillment of God's presence and radiance.
bensonIsaiah 35:2: "It 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."
Isaiah 35:2 . It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice — Great shall be the prosperity and felicity of God’s church in these gospel days. Spiritual blessings are often set forth under the emblems of fruitfulness and plenty, as the reader may see, Isaiah 4:2 ; Isaia…
barnesIsaiah 35:2: "It 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."
It shall blossom abundantly - Hebrew, 'Blossoming it shall blossom' - a common mode of expression in Hebrew, denoting certainty, abundance, fullness - similar to the expression Genesis 2:17 , 'Dying thou shalt die,' that is, thou shalt surely die. The sense here is…
The verse uses a powerful Hebrew grammatical construction, "blossoming it shall blossom," to emphasize not just that the desert will bloom, but that this blooming will be incredibly abundant and complete, a sign of overwhelming divine transformation. This richness is then compared to the most renowned and beautiful landscapes of Israel—Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon—indicating that God's presence will bestow unparalleled splendor and fruitfulness. The ultimate climax is not just the beauty of the land, but that "they shall see the glory of the LORD," meaning the most magnificent aspect of this renewal is the revelation of God's own majesty to those who witness it.
This passage bursts forth from a vision of a desolate wilderness being transformed into a lush paradise, directly following the proclamation of God's judgment and restoration. The surrounding verses describe a future where God's people are redeemed and the land itself flourishes, making the vivid imagery of abundant blossoming and singing in verse 2 a direct consequence of God's saving power. This vibrant renewal, symbolized by the transferred glory of renowned natural landscapes like Lebanon and Carmel, ultimately points to the people seeing the splendor and majesty of God Himself.
This passage bursts forth from a vision of a desolate wilderness being transformed into a lush paradise, directly following the proclamation of God's judgment and restoration. The surrounding verses describe a future where God's people are redeemed and the land itself flourishes, making the vivid imagery of abundant blossoming and singing in verse 2 a direct consequence of God's saving power. This vibrant renewal, symbolized by the transferred glory of renowned natural landscapes like Lebanon and Carmel, ultimately points to the people seeing the splendor and majesty of God Himself.
"it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God." — The verse uses a powerful Hebrew grammatical construction, "blossoming it shall blossom," to emphasize not just that the desert will bloom, but that this blooming will be incredibly abundant and comp…
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Last reviewed October 2026