What does Isaiah 43:20 mean?

"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." - 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." - Isaiah 43:20

Isaiah 43:20 (KJV) 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."

This verse comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, and it is a part of a passage in which God is speaking to the Israelites, assuring them of his protection and provision. In this particular verse, God uses imagery of nature and the animal kingdom to illustrate his power and ability to provide for his people, even in the most unlikely and desolate of circumstances.

The use of the phrase "beast of the field" signifies the wild animals and creatures that inhabit the untamed regions of the earth. These animals are typically seen as symbols of strength and untamed power. In the context of this verse, God is saying that even the wildest and most untamed creatures will honor and acknowledge him for his provision of water and sustenance. This highlights the idea that God's provision is so abundant and miraculous that it even elicits praise from the natural world.

The mention of "dragons and the owls" further emphasizes the idea of God's provision in unexpected places. The dragon, often associated with mythical and fearsome creatures, represents the extraordinary nature of God's provision. The owl, known for its keen perception and ability to navigate darkness, symbolizes God's ability to provide even in the most challenging and difficult situations.

The latter part of the verse declares the reason for this acknowledgement from the natural world. God states that he provides waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to give drink to his people, his chosen. This reinforces the theme of God's faithful provision and care for his people, even in the most barren and desolate of places. The symbolism of water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert speaks to the idea of life and sustenance in places where it would seem impossible. This is a powerful declaration of God's ability to bring life and abundance where there was once only desolation.

In a broader context, this verse speaks to the overarching theme of God's faithfulness and provision throughout the Bible. The imagery of water and sustenance in dry and desolate places is a recurring motif in the Bible, symbolizing God's ability to bring life and abundance in the midst of hardship and scarcity. It also speaks to the idea of God's sovereignty over the natural world, as even the wild animals and creatures acknowledge and honor him for his provision.

Overall, Isaiah 43:20 is a powerful proclamation of God's provision and care for his people, using vivid and evocative imagery to illustrate his ability to bring life and abundance in the most unlikely of places. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, and it offers hope and assurance to believers that God is able to provide for their needs in every circumstance.

Have questions about Isaiah 43:20?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Isaiah 43:20 Artwork

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."

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."

"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." - 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." - Isaiah 43:20

Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 43:19

isaiah 43:1

isaiah 43:1

Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18 - "¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."

Isaiah 43:18 - "¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."

Isaiah 43:11 - "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."

Isaiah 43:11 - "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."

Luke 20:43 - "Till I make thine enemies thy footstool."

Luke 20:43 - "Till I make thine enemies thy footstool."

Isaiah 43:8 - "¶ Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears."

Isaiah 43:8 - "¶ Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears."

Isaiah 43:15 - "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King."

Isaiah 43:15 - "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King."

Isaiah 43:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"

Isaiah 43:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"

1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."

1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."

Isaiah 43:21 - "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise."

Isaiah 43:21 - "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise."

Genesis 43:20 - "And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:"

Genesis 43:20 - "And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:"

Isaiah 43:27 - "Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me."

Isaiah 43:27 - "Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me."

Isaiah 43:26 - "Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified."

Isaiah 43:26 - "Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified."

Isaiah 43:28 - "Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches."

Isaiah 43:28 - "Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches."

Isaiah 43:22 - "¶ But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel."

Isaiah 43:22 - "¶ But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel."

Isaiah 43:5 - "Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;"

Isaiah 43:5 - "Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;"

Isaiah 43:25 - "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Isaiah 43:25 - "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Isaiah 43:17 - "Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow."

Isaiah 43:17 - "Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow."

Isaiah 43:13 - "Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?"

Isaiah 43:13 - "Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?"

Judges 20:43 - "Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising."

Judges 20:43 - "Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising."

"Till I make thine enemies thy footstool." - Luke 20:43

"Till I make thine enemies thy footstool." - Luke 20:43

Isaiah 43:6 - "I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;"

Isaiah 43:6 - "I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;"

Isaiah 43:3 - "For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee."

Isaiah 43:3 - "For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee."

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." - Isaiah 43:11

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." - Isaiah 43:11