Isaiah 43:20
The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Original Language Analysis
תְּכַבְּדֵ֙נִי֙
shall honour
H3513
תְּכַבְּדֵ֙נִי֙
shall honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
1 of 15
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
חַיַּ֣ת
The beast
H2416
חַיַּ֣ת
The beast
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 15
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
תַּנִּ֖ים
me the dragons
H8577
תַּנִּ֖ים
me the dragons
Strong's:
H8577
Word #:
4 of 15
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
וּבְנ֣וֹת
and the owls
H1323
וּבְנ֣וֹת
and the owls
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
5 of 15
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָתַ֨תִּי
because I give
H5414
נָתַ֨תִּי
because I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בַמִּדְבָּ֜ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַמִּדְבָּ֜ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
9 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
מַ֗יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֗יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
10 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נְהָרוֹת֙
and rivers
H5104
נְהָרוֹת֙
and rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
11 of 15
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת
to give drink
H8248
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת
to give drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
13 of 15
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
Cross References
Isaiah 41:17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.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.Isaiah 48:21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.Revelation 17:14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.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 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.
Historical Context
This poetically describes how transformation of wilderness into watered garden will be so dramatic that even wild creatures benefit and, metaphorically, acknowledge the source. Creation responds to redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see creation itself testifying to God's redemptive works?
- What does it mean when even unlikely or 'wild' elements of your life honor God's provision?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Even wild animals—'beasts of the field, the dragons and the owls'—will honor God for providing water in wilderness. The Hebrew 'taniyn' (dragons/jackals) and 'bath ya'anah' (owls) represent creatures comfortable in desolation. If they recognize blessing, how much more should God's chosen people!