I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

ISAIAH 41:19KJV
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Isaiah 41:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 41:19 mean?

Isaiah 41:19 pictures God turning a barren place into a place where many trees can grow. The varied trees make the promise more than a picture of survival: they suggest a striking change from an empty landscape to one filled with life.

God is the speaker. Following the promise of water in verse 18, he describes planting trees “together” in the wilderness and desert. For people familiar with dry land, the image would make the change especially vivid.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 41:19

  • “plant” — נָתַן (natan): This word often means “give” or “put.” The KJV’s “plant” fits the image of God placing trees in the wilderness.
  • “desert” — עֲרָבָה (ʿaravah): This word can refer to a dry plain or steppe. The setting is open, arid country, where a stand of trees would be unexpected.
  • “oil” — שֶׁמֶן (shemen): This word means “oil.” The KJV’s “oil tree” names a tree associated with oil, though its exact identification is uncertain.

Why Isaiah 41:19 matters

  • The change is God’s work in the passage. The repeated “I will” presents him as the one who puts the trees in place.
  • The trees are part of a larger picture of provision for people in need. Verse 17 speaks of the poor and needy seeking water, while verse 18 introduces water into the dry landscape.
  • The passage gives a reason for the scene: verse 20 says people will see and know that the Lord has done this. The trees serve as visible signs of his action.

Where else these words appear

“pine” Hebrew H8410 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 60:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

“tree” Hebrew H8391 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 60:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

“myrtle” Hebrew H1918 · used in 6 verses

  • Nehemiah 8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
  • Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
  • Zechariah 1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

“tree” Hebrew H1265 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
  • Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.