Breakdown of Isaiah 35:2

"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 doesn't just say the wilderness will be beautiful; it states that the glory and majesty of renowned places like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon will be given to it. This suggests the tran…

Isaiah 35:2 Meaning Explained

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Isaiah 35:2

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 doesn't just say the wilderness will be beautiful; it states that the glory and majesty of renowned places like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon will be given to it. This suggests the transformation isn't just cosmetic, but a profound impartation of divine splendor, culminating in people seeing God's own glory.

What Isaiah 35:2 means

This passage bursts forth from the context of desolation and exile, presenting a radical transformation of a barren wilderness. Immediately preceding this, the land is described as utterly parched and empty, a stark contrast to the vibrant imagery that follows. This verse, therefore, isn't just a pretty picture; it's a divine promise of restoration and overwhelming joy that will fill the emptiest places, culminating in a direct encounter with God's glory.

From Barrenness to Blooming Joy

Imagine a place so dry and lifeless it’s almost unrecognizable. Then, picture it bursting into vibrant life with unimaginable joy. That’s the picture God paints for us here.

The Power of Abundant Life

The verse opens with a powerful image: the land will not just grow, it will "blossom abundantly." This isn't a little green shoot; it’s a full-blown explosion of life.

This transformation is met with "joy and singing." Think of a wedding celebration or a festival – that’s the kind of deep, overflowing happiness described. It’s a stark contrast to the silence and desolation of the wilderness.

Abundance, Not Scarcity: The Hebrew uses a form that emphasizes certainty and fullness. It's a promise of complete renewal.
Overflowing Emotion: Singing and joy weren't just quiet contentment; they were outward expressions of profound celebration and relief.

Borrowed Glory: Earthly Beauty Reflects Divine Majesty

Why does Isaiah bring up famous, beautiful places like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon? It’s a way of showing just how spectacular this transformation will be.

The Peak of Natural Beauty Given to the Wasteland

Isaiah names three of the most renowned and beautiful regions in Israel:

Lebanon: Famous for its tall, majestic cedar trees, symbolizing strength and glory.
Carmel: Known for its lush greenery and beauty, a place of pleasant landscapes.
Sharon: Celebrated for its fertile plains and abundant pastureland.

God declares that the glory and excellency of these prized locations will be given to the transformed wilderness. It’s like saying a simple plot of land will be endowed with the magnificence of a world-famous park or forest.

Understand the original words

Original language

gloryכָּבוֹד

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.

LORDיהוה

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.

majestyהָדָר

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.

Historical context

Written: Late 8th century BC
Author: Isaiah the prophet
Location: Written from Judah, likely during the reign of King Hezekiah
Genre: Prophecy; uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey divine messages

Historical background

Isaiah 35 vividly paints a picture of restoration and flourishing, directly contrasting the desolation and barrenness experienced during periods of judgment and exile with the ultimate hope of God's presence and salvation. The imagery speaks to the deep longing for a return to God's favor and the land's fertility after the devastations of war and captivity.

c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry during a time of political instability and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, serving as a voice of warning and hope to Judah.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Syria attack Judah, seeking to force King Ahaz into an anti-Assyrian alliance. Isaiah advises Ahaz to trust in the Lord rather than Assyria.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the deportation of its people and the desolation of the land. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. Isaiah offers King Hezekiah a message of assurance and deliverance.

Key themes

01Wilderness transformed
02Joyful divine presence
03Land's restored beauty
04Seeing God's glory

Cross-references

Isaiah 60:13

This passage also uses the imagery of 'Lebanon's glory' being brought to a place, reinforcing the idea of immense beauty and richness being bestowed upon a previously desolate area.

Isaiah 40:5

This verse speaks of the 'glory of the LORD' being revealed, directly paralleling the promise in Isaiah 35:2 that people will 'see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.'

Jeremiah 31:12

This passage describes a future time of restoration and joy, where people 'shall come and sing for joy on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,' echoing the rejoicing and singing mentioned in Isaiah 35:2.

Revelation 21:11

The description of Jerusalem in Revelation, having 'the glory of God,' its radiance like a very precious stone, parallels the unveiling of God's glory as the ultimate splendor for His people, as seen in Isaiah 35:2.

Hebrews 12:12

This New Testament passage quotes Isaiah 35:3 (which follows directly after our verse), showing how the prophet's vision of strengthening weak hands and feeble knees is applied to spiritual encouragement for believers.

Scholarly commentary

Isaiah 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…
benson

Isaiah 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…
barnes

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What Isaiah 35:2 means

Original language

gloryכָּבוֹד

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.

LORDיהוה

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.

majestyהָדָר

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.

Historical background

c. 740 BC

Isaiah's Ministry Begins

Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry during a time of political instability and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, serving as a voice of warning and hope to Judah.

c. 734-732 BC

Syro-Ephraimite War

Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Syria attack Judah, seeking to force King Ahaz into an anti-Assyrian alliance. Isaiah advises Ahaz to trust in the Lord rather than Assyria.

c. 722 BC

Fall of Samaria

The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the deportation of its people and the desolation of the land. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah.

c. 701 BC— this verse

Assyrian Invasion of Judah

Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. Isaiah offers King Hezekiah a message of assurance and deliverance.

Scholarly commentary

Isaiah 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…
benson

Isaiah 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…
barnes

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 35:2 mean?

Explain the meaning of Isaiah 35:2

What is the context of Isaiah 35:2?

What Isaiah 35:2 means

From Barrenness to Blooming Joy

Borrowed Glory: Earthly Beauty Reflects Divine Majesty

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What Isaiah 35:2 means

From Barrenness to Blooming Joy

Borrowed Glory: Earthly Beauty Reflects Divine Majesty

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

The Ultimate Vision: Seeing God's Own Glory