Isa 35:8, 10 | JFB | STEP | 8. highway —such a causeway ( raised way, from a Hebrew root, "to cast up") as was used for the march of armies; valleys being filled up, hills and other obstructions removed ( ; compare ). way of holiness —Hebraism for "the holy way." HORSLEY translates, "the way of the Holy One;" but the words that follow, and , show it is the way leading the redeemed back to Jerusalem, both the literal and the heavenly ( ); still Christ at His coming again shall be the Leader on the way, for which reason it is called, "The way of the Lord " ( ). it shall be for those: the wayfaring men —rather, "He (the Holy One) shall be with them, walking in the way" [HORSLEY ]. though fools —rather, "And (even) fools," that is, the simple shall not go astray, namely, because "He shall be with them" ( ).

Isaiah 35:8

8. highway—such a causeway (raised way, from a Hebrew root, "to cast up") as was used for the march of armies; valleys being filled up, hills and other obstructions removed (Isa 62:10; compare Isa 40:3, 4).

way of holiness—Hebraism for "the holy way." HORSLEY translates, "the way of the Holy One;" but the words that follow, and Isa 35:10, show it is the way leading the redeemed back to Jerusalem, both the literal and the heavenly (Isa 52:1; Joe 3:17; Re 21:27); still Christ at His coming again shall be the Leader on the way, for which reason it is called, "The way of the Lord" (Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1).

it shall be for those: the wayfaring men—rather, "He (the Holy One) shall be with them, walking in the way" [HORSLEY].

though fools—rather, "And (even) fools," that is, the simple shall not go astray, namely, because "He shall be with them" (Mt 11:25; 1Co 1:26-28).

Isaiah 35:10

10. Language: literally, applying to the return from Babylon; figuratively and more fully to the completed redemption of both literal and spiritual Israel.

joy upon . . . heads— (Ps 126:2). Joy manifested in their countenances. Some fancy an allusion to the custom of pouring oil "upon the head," or wearing chaplets in times of public festivity (Ec 9:8).