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Isaiah 43:20

Isaiah 43:20 in Multiple Translations

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.

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.

The beasts of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

The beasts of the field will give me honour, the jackals and the ostriches: because I send out waters in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country, to give drink to the people whom I have taken for myself:

The wild animals will be grateful to me—the jackals and the owls—because I'm providing water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, so my people, my chosen people, can drink.

The wilde beastes shall honour mee, the dragons and the ostriches, because I gaue water in the desert, and floods in the wildernesse to giue drinke to my people, euen to mine elect.

Honour me doth the beast of the field, Dragons and daughters of an ostrich, For I have given in a wilderness waters, Floods in a desolate place, To give drink to My people — My chosen.

The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honor me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

The beast of the field shall honor 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.

The beast of the field shall glorify me, the dragons and the ostriches: because I have given waters in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, to my chosen.

The jackals/wolves and owls and other wild creatures will thank me for giving them water in the desert. I will cause streams to appear in the dry desert in order that my people, the ones whom I have chosen, will have water;

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 43:20

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 43:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB תְּכַבְּדֵ֨/נִי֙ חַיַּ֣ת הַ/שָּׂדֶ֔ה תַּנִּ֖ים וּ/בְנ֣וֹת יַֽעֲנָ֑ה כִּֽי נָתַ֨תִּי בַ/מִּדְבָּ֜ר מַ֗יִם נְהָרוֹת֙ בִּֽ/ישִׁימֹ֔ן לְ/הַשְׁק֖וֹת עַמִּ֥/י בְחִירִֽ/י
תְּכַבְּדֵ֨/נִי֙ kâbad H3513 to honor V-Piel-Imperf-3fs | Suff
חַיַּ֣ת chay H2416 alive N-fs
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֔ה sâdeh H7704 field Art | N-ms
תַּנִּ֖ים tannîyn H8577 jackal N-mp
וּ/בְנ֣וֹת bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Conj | N-fp
יַֽעֲנָ֑ה yaʻănâh H3284 ostrich N-fs
כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj
נָתַ֨תִּי nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-1cs
בַ/מִּדְבָּ֜ר midbâr H4057 mouth Prep | N-ms
מַ֗יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) N-mp
נְהָרוֹת֙ nâhâr H5104 river N-mp
בִּֽ/ישִׁימֹ֔ן yᵉshîymôwn H3452 wilderness Prep | N-ms
לְ/הַשְׁק֖וֹת shâqâh H8248 to water Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
עַמִּ֥/י ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms | Suff
בְחִירִֽ/י bâchîyr H972 chosen Adj | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 43:20

תְּכַבְּדֵ֨/נִי֙ kâbad H3513 "to honor" V-Piel-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.
Definition: : honour/glory 1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be heavy 1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull 1a3) to be honoured 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant 1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible 1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify 1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make heavy 1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive 1e3) to cause to be honoured 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous 1f2) to honour oneself
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. See also: Genesis 13:2; Job 6:3; Psalms 15:4.
חַיַּ֣ת chay H2416 "alive" N-fs
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֔ה sâdeh H7704 "field" Art | N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
תַּנִּ֖ים tannîyn H8577 "jackal" N-mp
This word refers to a monster or serpent, like a sea-serpent or dragon, as described in Psalm 74:13 and Isaiah 27:1. It can also mean a venomous snake or a whale, symbolizing powerful creatures.
Definition: jackal Also means: tan.nah (תַּנָּה "dragon" H8568)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale. See also: Genesis 1:21; Isaiah 27:1; Psalms 44:20.
וּ/בְנ֣וֹת bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Conj | N-fp
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
יַֽעֲנָ֑ה yaʻănâh H3284 "ostrich" N-fs
This word refers to the ostrich or possibly another type of bird, and is considered unclean in the Bible. It is mentioned in Leviticus as an animal not to be eaten, and is also associated with the owl. The exact meaning is not certain.
Definition: 1) an unclean bird 1a) owl, ostrich, literally translated as "daughters of the owl" 1b) perhaps an extinct bird, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] owl. See also: Leviticus 11:16; Isaiah 34:13; Isaiah 13:21.
כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נָתַ֨תִּי nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בַ/מִּדְבָּ֜ר midbâr H4057 "mouth" Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
מַ֗יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
נְהָרוֹת֙ nâhâr H5104 "river" N-mp
In the Bible, a river symbolizes prosperity, like the Nile or Euphrates, and is often used figuratively. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the life-giving waters of the Promised Land. This word is also used to describe underground streams.
Definition: 1) stream, river 1a) stream, river 1b) (underground) streams Aramaic equivalent: ne.har (נְהַר "river" H5103H)
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: flood, river. See also: Genesis 2:10; Psalms 93:3; Psalms 24:2.
בִּֽ/ישִׁימֹ֔ן yᵉshîymôwn H3452 "wilderness" Prep | N-ms
Jeshimon, or wilderness, refers to a desolate or empty place, often a desert. It is a place of solitude and emptiness, as described in the Bible.
Definition: waste, wilderness, desert, desolate place
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: desert, Jeshimon, solitary, wilderness. See also: Numbers 21:20; 1 Samuel 26:3; Psalms 68:8.
לְ/הַשְׁק֖וֹת shâqâh H8248 "to water" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.
Definition: : watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS) 1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to water, irrigate 1a2) to water, give drink to 1b) (Pual) to be watered 1c) (Niphal) variant
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See H7937 (שָׁכַר), H8354 (שָׁתָה). See also: Genesis 2:6; 1 Chronicles 11:17; Psalms 36:9.
עַמִּ֥/י ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
בְחִירִֽ/י bâchîyr H972 "chosen" Adj | Suff
The word means chosen or select, often referring to someone or something preferred by God. It appears in passages like Isaiah 43:20, where God chooses Israel as his special people.
Definition: chosen, choice one, chosen one, elect (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: choose, chosen one, elect. See also: 2 Samuel 21:6; Psalms 106:23; Psalms 89:4.

Study Notes — Isaiah 43:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 41:17 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.
2 Isaiah 48:21 They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.
3 Isaiah 49:10 They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
4 Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
5 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
6 Isaiah 13:22 Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.
7 John 4:14 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.”
8 1 Chronicles 16:13 O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.
9 Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
10 Mark 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.

Isaiah 43:20 Summary

This verse, Isaiah 43:20, tells us that even the animals will recognize and honor God because He takes care of them and provides for their needs, just like He provides for His people. God is a loving Father who wants to take care of us and give us what we need, even when things seem impossible (as seen in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus teaches that God feeds the birds). He wants us to trust Him and look to Him for our needs, and when we do, we can experience His life-giving power and provision. By looking at how God cares for the creatures in the field, we can learn to trust Him more and recognize His care in our own lives, just as Psalm 23:4 reminds us that God is with us even in the darkest valleys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the beasts of the field to honor God?

This phrase suggests that even the animals will recognize and respond to God's provision and care, as seen in Isaiah 43:20, where He provides water in the wilderness for His people, much like He provided manna in the wilderness for the Israelites in Exodus 16:4.

How does this verse relate to God's people?

This verse highlights God's special care for His chosen people, providing for their needs in the most desolate places, as promised in Isaiah 41:17-18, where He says He will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert for those who seek Him.

What is the significance of God providing water in the wilderness?

Providing water in the wilderness is a powerful symbol of God's life-giving power and provision, much like the rock that gave water to the Israelites in Numbers 20:11, demonstrating His ability to sustain His people even in the most challenging circumstances.

How does this verse reflect God's character?

This verse showcases God's character as a loving and providing Father, who cares for the needs of His people and even the creatures of the field, much like Psalm 104:10-14, where He provides for all creatures, demonstrating His wisdom, power, and goodness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I have experienced God's provision in my own life, even in difficult or desert-like circumstances?
  2. How can I, like the creatures in the field, honor and recognize God's provision and care in my life?
  3. What are some areas of my life where I feel like I am in a wilderness or desert, and how can I trust God to provide for me in those areas?
  4. In what ways can I declare God's praise, like the people formed for Himself in Isaiah 43:21, and share His goodness with others?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons, and the owls,.... Which is not to be understood literally of these creatures, who as they had honoured the Lord, when Israel passed through the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me; shall have cause, if they had abilities, to honour and praise me for their share in this mercy. Possibly the beast of the field may mystically signify the Gentiles, whom the Jews reputed as beasts, and who were as destitute of all saving knowledge as the beasts which perish, yet should become the Lord’ s people, as they seem to be called, . The dragons; which live in dry and barren deserts, and are very thirsty, and therefore more sensible of this mercy. To give drink to my people; to whom these waters were principally designed, but the beasts fared better for their sakes. Thus Christ was primarily sent to the lost sheep of Israel, ; yet the Gentiles, there compared to dogs, fared better for the children, picking up some crumbs of their bread; and the Jews generally rejecting Christ, the Gentiles came in their stead.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 43:20

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.Ver. 20. The beasts of the field shall honour me,] i.e., In their kind they shall. So shall brutish and savage persons when tamed and turned by the word of God’ s grace. The malignities of all creatures are in man; as Plato also observed, In doloso enim est vulpes, in crudeli leo, in libidinoso amica lute sus, &c. Gregory, by dragons, here understands profane and carnal people; by owls or ostriches, hypocrites. These being converted shall sing hallelujahs to God; but let them take heed that they turn not, with the dog, to their own vomit again, &c. For, De Rep., lib. iii. Mor., lib. xxxi. cap. 5.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 43:20

Verse 20. The beast of the field shall honour me - "The wild beast of the field shall glorify me"] The image is elegant and highly poetical. God will give such an abundant miraculous supply of water to his people traversing the dry desert in their return to their country, that even the wild beasts, the serpents, the ostriches, and other animals that haunt those arid regions, shall be sensible of the blessing, and shall break forth into thanksgiving and praises to him for the unusual refreshment which they receive from his so plentifully watering the sandy wastes of Arabia Deserta, for the benefit of his people passing through them.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 43:20

20. Even the wild beasts shall honour Jehovah, unconsciously, through their joy at the abundant supply of water. the dragons and the owls] Render as R.V. the jackals and the ostriches. see on ch. Isaiah 13:21-22.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honor me - The sense of this passage is plain, and the image is highly poetical and beautiful.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 43:20

19-21. A new thing — As the former event was common in invasions, sieges, etc., to the unfortunate conquered, the marvel now to be spoken of is the certainly approaching spiritual restoration, not on

Sermons on Isaiah 43:20

SermonDescription
John Gill 1 Peter 2:9 by John Gill John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 2:9, emphasizing that believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. He explains that this identity is r
Jackie Pullinger Arrogant, Overfed, and Unconcerned by Jackie Pullinger In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young girl named Karen who faces many challenges in her life. Despite her difficult circumstances, Karen takes on responsibilitie
David Wilkerson The Glory of the Last Days by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses a biblical story where the Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea with the enemy army behind them. He compares this situation to the challeng
Jim Cymbala God's River by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice for humanity. He explains that Jesus came to earth as God in human form, performed mira
Roy Hession (The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 3. the Lord on the Side of the Poor and Needy by Roy Hession In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing the dramatic and thunderous opening of the sermon, comparing it to the witches in Hammett's play. The speaker then mentions a beaut
Compilations Consider (Compilation) by Compilations In this sermon, the preacher encourages believers to overcome the attacks of the enemy and walk in the wisdom and compassion of God. They emphasize the need to glorify Jesus Christ
Al Whittinghill The Beauty of Brokenness by Al Whittinghill In this sermon, the speaker encourages listeners to find beauty in brokenness. He explains that in human society, broken things are often seen as worthless and set aside. However,

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