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 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Isaiah underscores the idea that all of creation, including wild animals such as beasts, dragons, and owls, give glory to God for His provision. The imagery of God providing water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert emphasizes His power to sustain life in the most challenging and barren of environments. This verse highlights God's care and provision for His people, whom He has chosen. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and ability to meet our needs, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. The mention of wild animals honoring God serves as a poetic way to convey the idea that all of creation acknowledges and praises God for His goodness and provision. This verse can inspire believers to trust in God's ability to provide for them, even in the midst of difficult situations, as exemplified by the imagery of water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the beasts of the field, dragons, and owls are depicted as honoring God for providing water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to quench the thirst of His chosen people. This imagery of wild creatures acknowledging and giving reverence to God highlights the power and authority that God has over all creation. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and provision for His people even in the harshest of conditions. The mention of beasts, dragons, and owls, which are often associated with mystery and danger, serves to illustrate God's ability to bring about unexpected blessings and miracles in the most unlikely of places. The word "honour" in this context implies a recognition of God's goodness and faithfulness in providing for His people, underscoring the importance of acknowledging and giving thanks for His abundant blessings.
Isaiah 43:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
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,
World English Bible
The animals of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
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.