35:1 desert shall rejoice The return of God’s people is cast as a second exodus—this time through a wilderness filled with gladness, rejoicing, and singing (contrast the harsh and terrifying wilderness of Exod 15:22; Deut 1:19).

the crocus The imagery is of the renewed ability of desert land to grow plants and support wildlife.

the glory of Yahweh The coming of the glory of God causes this transformation of the wilderness (compare 40:3–5).

35:3 Strengthen the weak hands Foreshadows the comfort of 40:1. Compare the similar language of comfort directed at Job in Job 4:3–4.

35:4 will come with vengeance Reminds the people to take comfort in the deliverance declared in Isa 34:8; it also foreshadows 40:10–11.

35:5 shall be opened Symbolizes the coming of God’s salvation—blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, and mute sing (compare 29:18; 32:3–4; 42:7; and Jesus’s allusion in Luke 7:22).

35:6 streams in the desert A reversal of what happened to Edom (see Isa 34:9).

35:7 the thirsty ground springs of water The renewal of a desert into a waterway echoes the exodus events of water bursting from the desert rocks (see Num 20:2–13); it is used again in Isa 48:20–21 and 49:10.

a settlement of jackals Mirrors the imagery of 34:9–15; what was a deserted wasteland left for animals becomes a well-watered oasis.

35:8 a highway shall be there See 40:3. In keeping with the imagery that reverses the chaos and destruction of before, the highways were laid waste in 33:8.

The unclean shall not travel through it The idea of a righteous remnant that returns to Zion is implied by the designation of this highway as sacred—the Way of Holiness. Those who are ritually unclean cannot travel along this route. The imagery gives hope to those suffering under the threat of exile in Isaiah’s day. Its ultimate fulfillment points to the future state of Zion under the Messiah’s rule, where all who inhabit Zion are called “holy” (see 4:3–4).

35:9 No lion shall be there Describes the peace in the natural world that accompanies the Messiah’s reign (see 11:6–8).

35:10 the ransomed of Yahweh shall return Illustrates the ultimate future triumph of Yahweh and the deliverance of His people through their return. Compare the images of future peace and divine sovereignty in 2:2–4; 4:1–6, and 11:1–16. See note on 51:11.

Atonement