Isaiah 11:16

Authorized King James Version

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And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיְתָ֣ה H1961
וְהָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מְסִלָּ֔ה And there shall be an highway H4546
מְסִלָּ֔ה And there shall be an highway
Strong's: H4546
Word #: 2 of 14
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
לִשְׁאָ֣ר for the remnant H7605
לִשְׁאָ֣ר for the remnant
Strong's: H7605
Word #: 3 of 14
a remainder
עַמּ֔וֹ of his people H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ of his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 4 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר which H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר which
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשָּׁאֵ֖ר shall be left H7604
יִשָּׁאֵ֖ר shall be left
Strong's: H7604
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר from Assyria H804
מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר from Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 7 of 14
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר which H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר which
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָֽיְתָה֙ H1961
הָֽיְתָה֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל like as it was to Israel H3478
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל like as it was to Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 10 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּי֥וֹם in the day H3117
בְּי֥וֹם in the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עֲלֹת֖וֹ that he came up H5927
עֲלֹת֖וֹ that he came up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 12 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ out of the land H776
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ out of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 13 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ of Egypt H4714
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 14 of 14
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis & Commentary

A highway for the remnant returning from Assyria, just as there was for Israel leaving Egypt. The 'highway' suggests an easy, clear path—God will make the way simple and direct. This 'second time' recovery recalls the first deliverance from Egypt, showing God's consistent redemptive pattern. The emphasis on 'the remnant' demonstrates that God preserves a people through judgment for restoration. This highway imagery pervades Isaiah (19:23; 35:8; 40:3), ultimately fulfilled in gospel proclamation clearing a way to God through Christ.

Historical Context

Initially refers to return from Assyrian exile (northern kingdom remnant) and later Babylonian exile. Spiritually fulfilled in John the Baptist preparing 'the way of the Lord' (Matthew 3:3, quoting Isaiah 40:3). The gospel creates a highway to God—clear, accessible path through Christ. What seemed impossible (returning from exile, reconciliation with God) God makes possible by creating the way Himself.

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