Isaiah 35:7

the parched ground The Hebr. word (shârâb, only again in Isaiah 49:10) is generally thought to be identical with Serâb, the Arabic name for the mirage (so R.V. marg.). Allusions to this remarkable optical phenomenon, by which even experienced travellers are often deceived, are, as might be expected, common in Arabic literature. Cf. Koran(Sura24:39):

"The works of the unbelievers are like the mirage in the desert;

The thirsty takes it for water, till he comes up to it and finds that it is nothing."

(Quoted by Gesenius.) The idea in the text, therefore, would be that the illusion which mocks the thirsty caravan shall become a reality; water shall be as common in the desert as the mirage now is. The rendering "parched ground," however, corresponds with Jewish usage and the ancient versions; and the sense "mirage" is unsuitable in ch. Isaiah 49:10.

in the habitation … rushes A literal rendering of the Hebr. would be: "in the habitation of jackals, its lair, a court (the word rendered habitation" in E.V. of ch. Isaiah 34:13) for reeds and rushes." This yields no sense. The text appears to have suffered extensive mutilation.