Isaiah 11:15

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהֶחֱרִ֣ים

H2763

shall utterly destroy

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

And the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵ֚ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְשׁ֣וֹן

H3956

the tongue

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

יָם

H3220

sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

מִצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

of the Egyptian

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהֵנִ֥יף

H5130

shall he shake

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

יָד֛וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#10

הַנָּהָ֖ר

H5104

over the river

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

#11

בַּעְיָ֣ם

H5868

and with his mighty

probably meaning strength

#12

רוּח֑וֹ

H7307

wind

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

#13

וְהִכָּ֙הוּ֙

H5221

and shall smite

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#14

לְשִׁבְעָ֣ה

H7651

it in the seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

#15

נְחָלִ֔ים

H5158

streams

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

#16

וְהִדְרִ֖יךְ

H1869

and make men go over

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

#17

בַּנְּעָלִֽים׃

H5275

dryshod

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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