Notes for Isa 35:1LEB
The final mem (ם) on the verb יְשֻׂשׂוּם (yésusum) is dittographic (note the initial mem on the following noun מִדְבָּר [midbar]). The ambiguous verbal form is translated as a jussive because it is parallel to the jussive form תָגֵל (tagel). The jussive is used rhetorically here, not as a literal command or prayer.
Or "Arabah" (NASB); NAB, NIV, TEV "desert."
Notes for Isa 35:2LEB
The ambiguous verb form תִּפְרַח (tifrakh) is translated as a jussive because it is parallel to the jussive form תָגֵל (tagel).
"and let it rejoice, yes [with] rejoicing and shouting." גִּילַת (gilat) may be an archaic feminine nominal form (see GKC 421 §130.b).
Or "glory" (KJV, NIV, NRSV); also a second time later in this verse.
Notes for Isa 35:3LEB
"staggering knees"; KJV, ASV, NRSV "feeble knees"; NIV "knees that give way."
Notes for Isa 35:4LEB
"Say to the hasty of heart," i.e., those whose hearts beat quickly from fear.
The jussive form וְיֹשַׁעֲכֶם (véyosha’akhem), which is subordinated to the preceding imperfect with vav conjunctive, indicates purpose.
Notes for Isa 35:6LEB
"burst forth" (so NAB); KJV "break out."
Or "Arabah" (NASB); KJV, NIV, NRSV, NLT "desert."
Notes for Isa 35:8LEB
The Hebrew text reads literally, "and there will be there a road and a way, and the Way of Holiness it will be called." וְדֶרֶךְ (véderekh, "and a/the way") is accidentally duplicated; the Qumran scroll 1QIsa does not reflect the repetition of the phrase.
The precise meaning of this line is uncertain. The text reads literally "and it is for them, the one who walks [on the] way." In this context those authorized to use the Way of Holiness would be morally upright people who are the recipients of Yahweh’s deliverance, in contrast to the morally impure and foolish who are excluded from the new covenant community.
In this context "fools" are those who are morally corrupt, not those with limited intellectual capacity.
Notes for Isa 35:9LEB
"will go up on it"; TEV "will pass that way."
Notes for Isa 35:10LEB
"and the redeemed will walk, the ransomed of Yahweh will return."
"[will be] on their head[s]." "Joy" may be likened here to a crown (cf. 2 Sam 1:10LEB). The statement may also be an ironic twist on the idiom "earth/dust on the head" (cf. 2 Sam 1:2; 2 Sam 13:19LEB; 2 Sam 15:32LEB; Job 2:12LEB), referring to a mourning practice.
"will overtake" (NIV); NLT "they will be overcome with."
"grief and groaning will flee"; KJV "sorrow and sighing shall flee away."