Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:19

What does Isaiah 41:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:19 means

God further describes the miraculous transformation of the wilderness, promising to plant lush, diverse trees where there was once only desolation. He will place cedars, acacias, myrtles, and oil-trees, along with fir-trees, pines, and box-trees, all growing together in the desert. This imagery signifies an abundant, vibrant ecosystem thriving in what was previously barren land. It underscores God's creative power and His intention to bring beauty, life, and flourishing to His people's desolate circumstances.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I will put in the waste land the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive-tree; and in the lowland will be planted the fir-tree, the plane, and the cypress together:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I give in a wilderness the cedar, Shittah, and myrtle, and oil-tree, I set in a desert the fir-pine and box-wood together.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, and the thorn, and the myrtle, and the olive tree: I will set in the desert the fir tree, the elm, and the box tree together:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I will give in the wilderness the cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oleaster; I will set in the desert the cypress, pine, and box-tree together;

Context

Building on the miraculous provision of water in verse 18, this verse extends the imagery of wilderness transformation with the planting of various trees. This complete ecological restoration highlights God's total transformative power over nature. It serves as a visual testament to His ability to bring life and beauty to desolation, leading directly into the explicit statement of the purpose behind these incredible acts: that all may recognize God's hand.

v.18I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

v.19This passage

v.20that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 35:1

    The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

  • Isaiah 37:31

    And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

  • Isaiah 51:3

    For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

  • Isaiah 55:13

    Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

  • Ezekiel 17:22

    Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will also take of the lofty top of the cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain:

  • Ezekiel 47:12

    And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall the fruit thereof fail: it shall bring forth new fruit every month, because the waters thereof issue out of the sanctuary; and the fruit thereof shall be for food, and the leaf thereof for healing.

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