In the previous verse Yahweh told his people not to concentrate on past events, but here he tells them to focus on a new event that is more important. Since there is a contrast between these two verses, some languages may begin verse 19 with a connector such as “But.”

Behold, I am doing a new thing: The word Behold emphasizes the contrast between the old events and the new one; it also draws special attention to the new one. The new event will be more important than all of God’s past actions. The Hebrew verb rendered am doing is a participle. It points to something that will happen very soon. New Revised Standard Version and Revised English Bible express it well with “am about to do,” and so does Good News Translation with “am going to do.”

Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?: This line is parallel to the previous one, saying the new event is already taking place. The use of the adverb now and the verb springs forth together emphasizes that this event has come suddenly and unexpectedly. Springs forth is a figurative way of saying there are already signs that God is working to rescue Israel; these signs are like early shoots on a plant (compare 42.9).

Do you not perceive it? is a rhetorical question. Yahweh is making a strong statement that his people should be aware of what he is doing. The verb perceive is literally “know.” It may be rendered “recognize.” For languages that cannot use a rhetorical question here, Good News Translation provides a helpful model with you can see it now!

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert is the new thing God is about to do (compare 41.18). Using the Exodus imagery again, God says he will lead his people through the desert that lies between Babylonia and Israel. These two lines begin with a conjunction in Hebrew that is literally “Also.” New Jerusalem Bible and Bible en français courant render it “Yes,” but most versions omit it. There is a slight textual problem in these lines. Revised Standard Version follows Masoretic Text with rivers, but Dead Sea Scrolls has “paths.” According to Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, translators may follow either text. “Paths” is a better parallel to way, but verse 20 mentions “rivers in the desert.” Thus either reading is possible. Many versions prefer “rivers,” but Revised English Bible has “paths.” For the Hebrew word rendered wilderness, see the comments on 14.17, where it is translated “desert.” Desert is parallel and synonymous with it. The Hebrew word for desert also refers to a wasteland.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Look! I am about to do something new;
even now it is emerging.
Can’t you recognize it?
I will make a road through the wilderness,
and create rivers in the desert.

• See! I am about to do something [completely] new;
it is happening even now.
Can you not see it?
I am going to make a road through the wilderness,
paths through the barren waste.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .