Bible Dictionary
Parched ground
“Parched ground” in Isaiah refers to a mirage, an apparent pool or lake produced by the refraction of light over heated desert sands. The term describes the deceptive appearance of water in a dry wilderness.
Definition
“Parched ground” in Isaiah refers to a mirage. It describes the appearance of a beautiful lake produced when the sun’s rays are refracted over the glowing sands of the desert, although no actual water is present.
Biblical Usage
The term appears in a passage describing the desert’s transformation and the provision of water. Its image contrasts the dry wilderness with the appearance of refreshing abundance.
Historical Background
The phenomenon is caused by the refraction of sunlight over heated desert sands. Modern Arabs call it serab, a name corresponding to the Hebrew term.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Isa. 35:7), Heb. sharab, a “mirage”, a phenomenon caused by the refraction of the rays of the sun on the glowing sands of the desert, causing them suddenly to assume the appearance of a beautiful lake. It is called by the modern Arabs by the same Hebrew name serab.