Isaiah 43:19

The making of the way through the desert and water for the pilgrims to drink (See on ch. Isaiah 40:3 f., Isaiah 41:18 ff.) is considered to be a miracle transcending the passage of the Red Sea, and all the miracles which attended the first exodus. This is the new thingon which the prophet's mind fastens as the symbol of Israel's deliverance.

now it shall &c. Rather: even now it is springing forth; do ye not recognise it? In ch. Isaiah 42:9, the new things are spoken of as announced beforethey "spring forth," while as yet there is no sign of their appearing; here to the lively imagination of the prophet they are already seen "germinating," and he calls on the people to see them as the inevitable issue of the conquests of Cyrus. But while the above seems the most effective rendering of the question, that of the E.V. is quite possible: "shall ye not experience it."

the desert Heb. Jěshîmôn, an utterly barren and arid region (Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalms 68:7; Psalms 78:40; Psalms 107:4 &c.) as distinguished from midbâr("wilderness" or "steppe"), where flocks can find a scanty sustenance. It occurs as a proper name in Numbers 21:20 (1 Samuel 26:1).