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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/23_Isa_41_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 41:18 - God's Help to Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/41-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/41-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/41.htm">Chapter 41</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm" title="Isaiah 41:17">◄</a> Isaiah 41:18 <a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm" title="Isaiah 41:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/41.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I will open rivers in desolate 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will open rivers on the bare heights, And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land fountains of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I will open rivers on the bare heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I will open rivers on the bare heights, And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land fountains of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I will open rivers on the bare heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I will open rivers on the barren heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a reed-pool of water And the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains. I will turn the desert into a pool and dry land into springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains. I will turn the desert into a pool of water and dry land into springs of water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I will make rivers flow on mountain peaks. I will send streams to fill the valleys. Dry and barren land will flow with springs and become a lake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will make rivers flow on bare hilltops. I will make springs flow through valleys. I will turn deserts into lakes. I will turn dry land into springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I'll open up rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I'll turn the desert into a pool of water, and the parched land into springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will make streams flow down the slopes and produce springs in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water and the arid land into springs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I open rivers on high places, "" And fountains in midst of valleys, "" I make a wilderness become a pond of water, "" And a dry land becomes springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I open on high places rivers, And in midst of valleys fountains, I make a wilderness become a pond of water, And a dry land become springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will open rivers upon naked hills, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will set the desert for a pool of water, and the dry land for goings forth of water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers in the high bills, and fountains in the midst of the plains: I will turn the desert into pools of waters, and the impassable land into streams of waters. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I will open rivers in the high hills, and fountains in the midst of the plains. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the impassable land into streams of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will open up rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the broad valleys; I will turn the wilderness into a marshland, and the dry ground into springs of water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I 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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will open rivers in the mountains and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness pools of water, and the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I shall open rivers in the mountain, and within the valleys a fountain. I shall make the wilderness into pools of waters and the thirsty land into springs of waters<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the high hills, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />but I will open rivers on the mountains, and fountains in the midst of plains: I will make the desert pools of water, and a thirsty land watercourses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/41-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8954" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">God's Help to Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: ’ep̄·taḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">I will open</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: nə·hā·rō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">rivers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8205.htm" title="8205: šə·p̄ā·yîm (N-mp) -- Bareness, a smooth or bare height. From shaphah; bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain.">the barren heights,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4599.htm" title="4599: ma‘·yā·nō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A spring. Or ma ynow; or ma yanah; from ayin; a fountain, figuratively, a source.">and fountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: ū·ḇə·ṯō·wḵ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">in the middle</a> <a href="/hebrew/1237.htm" title="1237: bə·qā·‘ō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A valley, plain. From baqa'; properly, a split, i.e. A wide level valley between mountains.">of the valleys.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: ’ā·śîm (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">I will turn</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: miḏ·bār (N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">the desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/98.htm" title="98: la·’ă·ḡam- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A marsh, muddy pool. From an unused root; a marsh; hence a rush; hence a stockade of reeds.">into a pool</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">of water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6723.htm" title="6723: ṣî·yāh (Adj-fs) -- Dryness, drought. From an unused root meaning to parch; aridity; concretely, a desert.">and the dry</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: wə·’e·reṣ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4161.htm" title="4161: lə·mō·w·ṣā·’ê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, spring. ">into flowing springs.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mā·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen."></a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-35.htm">Psalm 107:35</a></span><br />He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Isaiah 35:6-7</a></span><br />Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. / The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Isaiah 43:19-20</a></span><br />Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. / The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-3.htm">Isaiah 44:3</a></span><br />For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/47-1.htm">Ezekiel 47:1-12</a></span><br />Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. / As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-18.htm">Joel 3:18</a></span><br />And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-8.htm">Zechariah 14:8</a></span><br />And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Revelation 7:17</a></span><br />For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Revelation 21:6</a></span><br />And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1-2</a></span><br />Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a></span><br />But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Psalm 46:4</a></span><br />There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the middle of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/12-3.htm">Isaiah 12:3</a></b></br> Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-25.htm">Isaiah 30:25</a></b></br> And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers <i>and</i> streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/32-2.htm">Isaiah 32:2</a></b></br> And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/33-9.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/songs/6-6.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-3.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-3.htm">Fountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-15.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-17.htm">Open</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Parched</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-9.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-2.htm">Pool</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Pools</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-25.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-30.htm">Springs</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-8.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-1.htm">Valleys</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Water</a> <a href="/psalms/107-35.htm">Water-Springs</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-21.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-10.htm">Fountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Open</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-2.htm">Parched</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Places</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-12.htm">Pool</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Pools</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Springs</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Valleys</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Water</a> <a href="/revelation/14-7.htm">Water-Springs</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-5.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">About his promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">And about the vanity of idols.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/41.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will open rivers on the barren heights</b><br>This phrase signifies God's miraculous provision and transformation. In the ancient Near East, water was a precious resource, especially in arid regions. The "barren heights" refer to elevated areas typically devoid of water. The promise to open rivers here symbolizes God's ability to bring life and sustenance where it seems impossible. This imagery is reminiscent of God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, such as when He provided water from a rock (<a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Exodus 17:6</a>). It also foreshadows the spiritual renewal and blessings that come through Christ, who offers living water (<a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10</a>).<p><b>and fountains in the middle of the valleys</b><br>Valleys, often fertile, are contrasted with the barren heights, yet the promise of fountains suggests an abundance beyond natural means. In biblical times, fountains or springs were sources of life and community gathering. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual refreshment and renewal. The mention of fountains in valleys may also allude to the restoration and peace that God promises His people, as seen in <a href="/psalms/23-2.htm">Psalm 23:2</a>, where He leads them beside still waters.<p><b>I will turn the desert into a pool of water</b><br>Deserts are symbolic of desolation and hardship. God's promise to transform the desert into a pool of water indicates a complete reversal of circumstances. This transformation is a powerful image of hope and redemption, reflecting God's sovereignty over creation. It echoes the prophetic vision of restoration found in <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Isaiah 35:6-7</a>, where the desert blooms and waters break forth. This can also be seen as a type of the new creation, where God will make all things new (<a href="/revelation/21-5.htm">Revelation 21:5</a>).<p><b>and the dry land into flowing springs</b><br>The dry land represents lifelessness and scarcity. God's promise to turn it into flowing springs suggests not only provision but also abundance and continuous blessing. This transformation is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to bring life from death. It connects to the theme of spiritual renewal found throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/ezekiel/47.htm">Ezekiel 47:1-12</a>, where water flows from the temple, bringing life wherever it goes. This imagery points to the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings life and growth to believers (<a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38-39</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, promising to transform the natural world as a demonstration of His power and faithfulness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecy, often experiencing spiritual and physical barrenness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/barren_heights_and_valleys.htm">Barren Heights and Valleys</a></b><br>Symbolic of desolation and need, representing areas in life where God's intervention is necessary.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/desert_and_dry_land.htm">Desert and Dry Land</a></b><br>Metaphors for spiritual dryness and lifelessness, which God promises to revitalize.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/rivers,_fountains,_pools,_and_springs.htm">Rivers, Fountains, Pools, and Springs</a></b><br>Symbols of abundance, life, and divine blessing, illustrating God's provision and renewal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_power_to_transform.htm">God's Power to Transform</a></b><br>God has the power to change the most desolate and barren areas of our lives into places of abundance and life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_renewal.htm">Spiritual Renewal</a></b><br>Just as God promises physical transformation, He also offers spiritual renewal to those who seek Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>We are reminded of our need to rely on God's provision and not our own strength, especially in times of spiritual dryness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a></b><br>This verse encourages believers to hold onto hope, trusting that God will fulfill His promises of restoration and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_faith.htm">Active Faith</a></b><br>Believers are called to actively seek God's presence and expect His transformative work in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_deserts_becoming_forests.htm">Isaiah 41:18–19: Where is the archeological or historical evidence for deserts turning into pools of water and forests suddenly appearing in barren regions? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_springs_appear_in_levant_as_in_isaiah_35_7.htm">Given the severe desert conditions of the Levant, is there any record of water springs appearing as described in Isaiah 35:7? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_87_7__how_are_all_'springs'_in_zion.htm">Psalm 87:7 - In what sense are all 'springs' in Zion, given that historically rivers and water sources are not exclusive to Jerusalem?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_18_1__what_is_'land_of_whirring_wings'.htm">Isaiah 18:1: How can the reference to a 'land of whirring wings' be reconciled with any known geography or culture?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/41.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">I will open rivers.</span>--The words have all the emphasis of varied iteration. Every shape of the physical contour of the country, bare hills, arid steppes, and the like, is to be transformed into a new beauty by water in the form adapted to each: streamlets, rivers, lakes, and springs. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/35-7.htm" title="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.">Isaiah 35:7</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will open rivers in high places</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/30-25.htm">Isaiah 30:25</a>). If even the "high places" had water, much more would-the low ground - the valleys - be abundantly supplied. The abundance is indicated by the fourfold designation of the water-supply, as coming from <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> rivers; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> fountains (or wells); <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> pools; and . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/41-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I will open</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְתַּ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·taḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rivers</span><br /><span class="heb">נְהָר֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(nə·hā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the barren heights,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁפָיִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(šə·p̄ā·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8205.htm">Strong's 8205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bareness, a smooth or bare height</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and fountains</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעְיָנ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ma‘·yā·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4599.htm">Strong's 4599: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fountain, a source</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the middle</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְת֥וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the valleys.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקָע֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1237.htm">Strong's 1237: </a> </span><span class="str2">A split, a wide level valley between mountains</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will turn</span><br /><span class="heb">אָשִׂ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the desert</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְבָּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into a pool</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲגַם־</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·ḡam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_98.htm">Strong's 98: </a> </span><span class="str2">A marsh, a rush, a stockade of reeds</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of water,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the dry</span><br /><span class="heb">צִיָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6723.htm">Strong's 6723: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aridity, a desert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">land</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶ֥רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into flowing springs.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמוֹצָ֥אֵי</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mō·w·ṣā·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4161.htm">Strong's 4161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, spring</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers on the bare (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 41:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 41:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>