Historical Context of Isaiah 43:20 Prophecy
Isaiah 43:20, from the King James Version, states: "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" [1]. This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Isaiah 43, which focuses on God's assurance of Israel's redemption and restoration, particularly from Babylonian captivity [4].
The literary context of Isaiah 43:20 is found within the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-55), a section of Isaiah that emphasizes God's power to deliver His people and His unique status as the only God [4, 2]. Chapters 40-48 specifically address the return from exile, contrasting God's ability to predict and perform new things with the impotence of idols [7, 8]. The preceding verses in Isaiah 43 speak of God doing a "new thing" (Isaiah 43:19), which will surpass the former deliverance from Egypt [4]. This new act of salvation involves making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, imagery that directly leads into verse 20 [4].
Historically, the prophecy is directed towards the Israelites who would experience exile in Babylon. The prophet Isaiah lived in the 8th century BCE, but this section of the book (often referred to as Second Isaiah) is understood by many scholars to address a later period, specifically the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE, offering hope for their return [4]. The "beast of the field," "dragons," and "owls" (or "ostriches" in some interpretations) are depicted as honoring God because of the miraculous provision of water in the wilderness [5]. This imagery evokes a reversal of the natural order, where even wild animals acknowledge God's power to sustain His people in impossible conditions [5].
The Targum Jonathan, an ancient Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible, interprets Isaiah 43:20 as the wild creatures honoring God "when I make habitable provinces at the desert, and the places where the dragons and the daughters of the ostrich dwell; because I will give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to the captives of my people, in whom I delight" [5]. This interpretation highlights the transformation of barren lands into life-sustaining environments for the returning exiles.
The theme of God providing water in the wilderness for His chosen people is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, recalling the Exodus narrative [1]. Cross-references for Isaiah 43:20 include passages like Isaiah 48:21, which also speaks of God providing water in the desert, and Psalms 104:21, which mentions the beasts of the field seeking their food from God [1]. The ultimate purpose of this deliverance and provision is for God's people to declare His praise, as stated in the subsequent verse, Isaiah 43:21: "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise" [3, 6].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Isaiah 43:20 cross-references: 1 Chronicles 16:13, Psalms 33:12, Psalms 104:21, Psalms 148:10, Isaiah 11:6, Isaiah 13:22, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah 48:21, Isaiah 49:10, Isaiah 55:1, Isaiah 65:15, Jeremiah 31:9, Joel 3:18, Mark 13:20, John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:17”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Isaiah 43:10 cross-references: Exodus 8:6, Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39, Isaiah 40:21, Isaiah 41:4, Isaiah 41:8, Isaiah 41:20, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 43:12, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 44:8, Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 45:6, Isaiah 46:8, Isaiah 46:9, Isaiah 55:4, John 1:7, John 15:27, John 20:31, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 15:15, Philippians 2:7, Colossians 1:7, Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 3:14”
- Isaiah “Populum istum formavi mihi : laudem meam narrabit. -- Isaiah 43:21”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:14: 43:14-21 The Lord assured Israel of its coming redemption from Babylon; the redemption would be modeled on Israel’s past redemption from Egypt and would be greater in some ways (43:18).”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 43:20: They shall honour me, when I make habitable provinces at the desert, and the places where the dragons and the daughters of the ostrich dwell ; because I will give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to the captives of my people, in whom I delight.”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 43:21: This people have I prepared for my service, they shall declare my praise.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 42:9: former things--Former predictions of God, which were now fulfilled, are here adduced as proof that they ought to trust in Him alone as God; namely, the predictions as to Israel's restoration from Babylon. new--namely, predictions as to Messiah, who is to bring all nations to the worship of Jehovah (Isa 42:1, Isa 42:4, Isa 42:6). spring forth--The same image from plants just beginning to germinate occurs in Isa 43:19; Isa 58:8. Before there is the slightest indication to enable a sagacious observer to infer the coming event, God foretells it.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 43:9: who . . . can declare this--who among the idolatrous soothsayers hath predicted this; that is, as to Cyrus being the deliverer of Israel? former--predictions, as in Isa 42:9 [MAURER]. Or, things that shall first come to pass (see on Isa 41:21-22) [BARNES]. let them bring forth their witnesses--as I do mine (Isa 43:10). justified--declared veracious in their pretended prophecies. or--rather, "and"; let men hear their prediction and say, from the event, It is verified (see on Isa 41:26).”