Isaiah 35:7
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֤ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַשָּׁרָב֙
And the parched ground
H8273
הַשָּׁרָב֙
And the parched ground
Strong's:
H8273
Word #:
2 of 12
quivering glow (of the air), especially the mirage
לַאֲגַ֔ם
shall become a pool
H98
לַאֲגַ֔ם
shall become a pool
Strong's:
H98
Word #:
3 of 12
a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds
מָ֑יִם
of water
H4325
מָ֑יִם
of water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
6 of 12
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בִּנְוֵ֤ה
in the habitation
H5116
בִּנְוֵ֤ה
in the habitation
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
7 of 12
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
תַנִּים֙
of dragons
H8577
תַנִּים֙
of dragons
Strong's:
H8577
Word #:
8 of 12
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
Cross References
Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Isaiah 49:10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Isaiah 34:13And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.Revelation 18:2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.Isaiah 13:22And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.John 7:38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Historical Context
Water scarcity was constant concern in the ancient Near East. Transformation from desert to wetland represented ultimate divine blessing and provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual regeneration transform our inner desert into flourishing life?
- What areas of your life feel like parched ground needing God's transforming water?
- How does this picture of complete restoration encourage perseverance through trials?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The parched ground becoming a pool reverses the curse of drought and barrenness. Dragons' (jackals') habitation—previously representing desolation (34:13)—transforms into vegetation, showing complete restoration. Reeds and rushes require abundant water, indicating permanent fertility. This dramatic transformation from cursed wasteland to fertile paradise illustrates regeneration—what was dead in sin becomes alive in Christ. The imagery anticipates the new heavens and new earth where former things pass away.