Isaiah 44:4 — Word Study
WLCוְצָמְח֖וּ בְּבֵ֣ין חָצִ֑יר כַּעֲרָבִ֖ים עַל־ יִבְלֵי־ מָֽיִם׃
BSAThey will sprouttsâmach [grow rapidly, spring up] amongbêyn the grasschâtsîyr [like a well-watered field] like willowsʻârâb [or poplar trees] byʻal flowingyâbâl streamsmayim [watercourses, rivers of water]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְצָמְח֖וּ | and they will spring up | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person common plural |
| בְּבֵ֣ין | in between | Preposition |
| חָצִ֑יר | grass | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כַּעֲרָבִ֖ים | like poplars | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עַל־ | at | Preposition |
| יִבְלֵי־ | watercourses of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| מָֽיִם׃ | water | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams. |
| KJV | And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. |
| ASV | and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. |
| YLT | And they have sprung up as among grass, As willows by streams of water. |
| WEB | and they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. |
| BBE | And they will come up like grass in a well-watered field, like water-plants by the streams. |
The translations agree on the imagery of growth and vitality, focusing on the flourishing nature of the verse.
The main action is emphasized at the beginning, with additional phrases providing context and comparison.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbצָמַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 44:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Promise of Renewalgenerated
Isaiah 44:4 speaks of God's promise to pour out blessings, leading to growth and vitality among His people, akin to plants flourishing in a well-watered field. This imagery reflects the transformative power of God's Spirit and the renewal that comes from Him, as seen in the preceding verse Isaiah 44:3 and connects to themes of abundance in other scriptures like Psalm 1:3.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 58:11 | The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. |
| 2 | Isaiah 61:11 | For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. |
| 3 | Psalm 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. |
| 4 | Psalm 92:13–15 | Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. |
| 5 | Acts 2:41–47 | Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צָמַח, ve.tza.me.Chugenerated
The verb צָמַח (tsamach) means to spring up or grow, encompassing various forms of growth, such as plants and ideas. It indicates new life emerging, as in a seed sprouting or a person's speech becoming more fluent.
In this verse, it conveys the idea of rapid growth and flourishing, suggesting that God will bring forth life and vitality among His people, much like plants thrive in a nourishing environment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb צָמְח֖וּ (they will spring up) governs the sentence, with several phrases describing the context and manner of this growth. The structure emphasizes the flourishing nature of the imagery, with prepositional phrases detailing the environment.
The arrangement places the verb first, highlighting the action of growth, followed by the conditions in which this growth occurs, namely among grass and by flowing streams.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צָמַח as ἀνατελοῦσιν (anatelei), which means 'to rise up' or 'to spring forth.' This choice emphasizes the idea of emergence and vitality, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also broadening the sense of upward growth.
This translation reflects a focus on the action of rising, which complements the imagery of flourishing in the original Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 44:4 describes how people will grow and flourish like plants in a well-watered field. This growth is a sign of God's blessings, showing how He brings new life and vitality to His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God's people will experience renewal and growth, flourishing in His blessings.
The verse illustrates the transformative power of God's Spirit, which brings life and vitality, akin to water nourishing plants.
Willows symbolize resilience and vitality, thriving near water, representing God's sustaining presence.
It connects to themes of growth and abundance found in other passages, such as Psalm 1:3, emphasizing the blessings of following God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I see God bringing growth and renewal?
- How can I cultivate a deeper relationship with God to experience His blessings?
- What does it mean for me to flourish like the plants described in this verse?
- How can I share the message of God's renewal with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers have commented on this verse, drawing connections between the imagery of growth and spiritual renewal.
For everywhere the divine writings take the willow as the type of chastity, because when its flower is steeped in water, if it is drunk, it extinguishes whatever kindles sensual desires and passions within us,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 44 →
The willow is a type of saintly and faithful persons. As Isaiah puts it, “There shall spring up, as it were, grass in the midst of water, and the willow in ever-flowing water.” So it is on people like these that we hang our instruments,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 44 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 44:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd they shall spring up as among the grass,.... That is, such on whom the Spirit of the Lord shall be poured with his gifts and grace, and with the blessings of it: by the "grass" may be meant
Read John Gill on Isaiah 44 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. They - thy "seed" and "offspring;" literally, thy offshoots (Isaiah 44:3).
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 44 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey shall spring up as among the grass; they shall increase and flourish like grass, and those herbs and plants which grow up in the midst of it.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 44 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 44:4 And they shall spring up [as] among the grass, as willows by the water courses.Ver. 4. As willows by the water courses.] Not only as the grass, but by a further growth, as the willows, which are often looped, sed ab ipso vulnere vires sumunt, but soon thrust forth new branches; and though cut down to the bottom, yet will grow up again; so will the Church and her children. Uberius resurgunt, altiusque excrescunt.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 44 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) As willows.—The same word as in Psalms 137:2 and Isaiah 15:7. Botanists identify it with a species of Viburnum, which grows on the banks of streams, rather than with the “weeping” or other species of Salix.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 44 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. They shall spring up as among the grass - "They shall spring up as the grass among the waters"] בבין חציר bebeyn chatsir, "They shall spring up in the midst of, or rather, in among, the grass." This cannot be right: eleven MSS., and thirteen editions, have כבין kebeyn, or כבן keben. Twenty-four MSS. read it without the י yod, בבן beben, in the son of the grass; and so reads the Chaldee; בבן beben, in the son of the grass. Twenty-four MSS. of Dr. Kennicott's, thirty-three of De Rossi's, and one of my own, with six editions, have this reading. The Syriac, מבין mibbeyn. The true reading is in all probability כבין kebeyn; and the word מים mayim, which should have followed it, is lost…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 44 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. spring up as among the grass] R.V., more accurately, omits “as”; but the text is unquestionably corrupt. There is no doubt that the LXX. preserves the true reading: spring up as grass among the waters. (Instead of the impossible ααοηφιψ, read λαιοξινηφιψ.) willows] or poplars; see on ch. Isaiah 15:7.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 44 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd they shall spring up - The idea is, that as plants and trees planted by water-courses, and in well-watered fields, grow and flourish, so should their children grow in virtue, hope, piety, and zeal.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 44 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
and they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
They will sprout up like a tree in the grass, like poplars beside channels of water.
Tyndale line
And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
And they shall grow as among the grasse, and as the willowes by the riuers of waters.
Strictly literal
And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the water-courses.
And they have sprung up as among grass, As willows by streams of water.
And they have sprung up as among grass, || As willows by conduits of water.
After they shall spring up [as] among grass, like willows by the water-courses.
They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the streams of water.
From the Latin
And they shall spring up among the herbs, as willows beside the running waters.
Simplified
They will grow up among the grass, like willows beside streams.
And they will come up like grass in a well-watered field, like water-plants by the streams.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with all seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, particularly in the 1Qisaa scroll, where the wording reflects the same essential message of growth and vitality.
וְצָמְח֖וּ בְּבֵ֣ין חָצִ֑יר כַּעֲרָבִ֖ים עַל־ יִבְלֵי־ מָֽיִם׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[וצמחו] [בבין] [חציר] [כערבים] [על] [יבלי] [מים]
nothing on the leather here — 7 supplied entire by an editor.
יצמחו כבין חציר כערבים על יובלי מים
7 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 44:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
צָמַח (tsamach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sprout or spring up. It encompasses various forms of growth, including plants, hair, and even speech. The root can be used in different grammatical aspects, such as causing something to grow or sprout. The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, particularly in contexts like abundant growth or the effects of rain.
צָמַח vb. sprout, spring up
Qal sprout, spring up
Pi. grow abundantly
Hiph.
cause to grow
of rain, cause the earth to sprout
base
H6779 צָמַח sprout, spring up
6779 tsamach tsaw-makh'
a primitive root; to sprout (transitive or intransitive,
literal or figurative):--bear, bring forth, (cause to, make
to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause
to) spring (forth, up).
צָמַח (tsa.mach) — to spring.
1) to sprout, spring up, grow up
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to sprout, spring up
1a1a) of plants
1a1b) of hair
1a1c) of speech (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to grow abundantly or thickly
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to grow
1c2) to cause to sprout
Conj | V-Qal-3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common pluralHc/Vqq3cp
בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.
בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between
always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
base
H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
996 beyn bane
(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,
the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a
distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before
each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,
either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +
from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.
see HEBREW for 0995
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.
: between
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.
: among
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)
Prep | Prep — PrepositionHR/Acmsc
חָצִיר (chatsiyr) refers to green grass or herbage, and can also denote leeks. The entries highlight its association with the greenness of a courtyard and its use as food for animals. Additionally, it is noted as a symbol of things that perish quickly.
חָצִיר n.m. green grass, herbage
grass, as food for animals;spec. of leeks
as type of what is quickly perishing
base
H2682a חָצִיר green grass, herbage H2682b חָצִיר green grass, herbage
2682 chatsiyr khaw-tseer'
perhaps originally the same as 2681, from the greenness of a
courtyard; grass; also a leek (collectively):--grass, hay,
herb, leek.
see HEBREW for 02681
חָצִיר (cha.tsir) — grass.
1a) grass
1b) of the quickly perishing (fig.)
חָצִיר (cha.tsir) — leek.
grass, leek, green grass, herbage
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gras:
(1) chatsir, from a root meaning "greenness"; compare Arabic Khudra, which includes grasses and green vegetables (1Ki 18:5; 2Ki 19:26; Job 40:15; Ps 104:14, etc.). Isa 15:6 is translated in the King James Version "have," the Revised Version (British and American) "grass"; Pr 27:25, English Versions of the Bible "hay," margin "Hebrew grass"; Nu 11:5 English Versions of the Bible translates "leeks." It is a term for herbage in general.
Grass
(1.) Heb. hatsir, ripe grass fit for mowing (1 Kings 18:5; Job 40:15; Ps. 104:14). As the herbage rapidly fades under the scorching sun, it is used as an image of the brevity of human life (Isa. 40:6, 7; Ps. 90:5). In Num. 11:5 this word is rendered “leeks.”
(2.) Heb. deshe’, green grass (Gen. 1:11, 12; Isa. 66:14; Deut. 32:2). “The sickly and forced blades of grass which spring up on the flat…
Sometimes means any green herbage, Isa 15:6, and sometimes the usual food of cattle, Ps 104:14. The quick growth of grass, its tenderness, and its rapid combustion when dry, have furnished the sacred writers with some of their most appropriate illustrations, Ps 90:5,6 92:7 103:15,16 Isa 40:6-8 51:12 Jas 1:10 1Pe 1:24. All sorts of grass and small shrubs are still used in Syria for fuel, on account of the scarcity of wood, Mt 6:28-30. Travelers in that country often see grass growing on the housetops, the roofs…
עֲרָבָה (arabah) refers to a type of tree, specifically a poplar or willow. It is derived from the root associated with willows, indicating its use in construction, such as wattles. The entries highlight its significance in the context of trees characterized by dark wood, but do not provide specific verse references.
[עֲרָבָה] n.[f.] poplar
base
H6155 [עֲרָבָה] poplar
6155 `arab aw-rawb'
from 6148; a willow (from the use of osiers as
wattles):--willow.
see HEBREW for 06148
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Brook of) Willows.
Combined with na.chal (נַ֫חַל "Brook" H5158)
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — willow.
1) poplar, willow
1a) a tree characterised by dark wood
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHR/Ncmpa
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
יָבָל (yabal) refers to a stream or watercourse, specifically one used for irrigation. It is derived from a root meaning to flow. The entries consistently emphasize its role as a conduit for water.
[יָבָל] n.[m.] watercourse, stream (prop. conduit), as irrigating
base
H2988 [יָבָל] watercourse, stream (prop. conduit), as irrigating
2988 yabal yaw-bawl'
from 2986; a stream:--(water-)course, stream.
see HEBREW for 02986
יָבָל (ya.val) — stream.
1) a stream, watercourse
1a) as irrigating
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
wo'-ter (mayim; hudor):
(1) The Greek philosophers believed water to be the original substance and that all things were made from it. The Koran states, "From water we have made all things." In the story of the creation (Ge 1:2) water plays an elemental part.
(2) Because of the scarcity of water in Palestine it is especially appreciated by the people there. They love to go and sit by a stream of running water. Men long for a taste of the water of their native village (1Ch 11:17). A town or village is known throughout the country for the quality of its water, which is described by many adjectives, such as "light," "heavy," etc.
(3) The rainfall is the only source of supply of water for Palestine. The moisture is carried up from the sea in clouds and falls on the hills as rain or snow.…
See CISTERN and WELLS.
In Isa 35:7, the Hebrew word for "parched ground" that shall become a pool of water, is the same with the Arabic term for the mirage, a peculiar optical illusion by which travelers in hot and dry deserts think they see broad lakes and flowing waters; they seem to discern the very ripple of the waves, and the swaying of tail trees on the margin in the cool breeze; green hills and houses and city ramparts rise before the astonished sight, recede as the traveler advances, and at length melt away in the hot haze. Not so the blessings of the gospel; they are no alluring mockery, but real waters of everlasting life, Isa 55:1 Joh 4:14 Re 22:1. Compare
→ Creation of Ps 148:4,5
→ Covered the whole earth Ge 1:9
→ Daily allowance of Eze 4:11
→ City waterworks 2Ki 20:20
→ Vision of, by Ezekiel Eze 47:1-5
→ Of separation Nu 19:2-22