Isaiah 43:16
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַנּוֹתֵ֥ן
which maketh
H5414
הַנּוֹתֵ֥ן
which maketh
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 9
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בַּיָּ֖ם
in the sea
H3220
בַּיָּ֖ם
in the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 9
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
דָּ֑רֶךְ
a way
H1870
דָּ֑רֶךְ
a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 9
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּבְמַ֥יִם
waters
H4325
וּבְמַ֥יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 9
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Isaiah 51:10Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?Psalms 77:19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Jeremiah 31:35Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:Isaiah 51:15But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.Revelation 16:12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.Psalms 78:13He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.Psalms 106:9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.Nehemiah 9:11And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.Exodus 14:16But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Historical Context
This directly references the Exodus when God split the Red Sea, demonstrating His power to deliver Israel from seemingly impossible situations. Past redemption predicts future deliverance from Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Red Sea' impossibilities has God brought you through in the past?
- How does remembering God's past deliverances strengthen faith for present challenges?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God made 'a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters'—recalling the Red Sea deliverance. The Hebrew 'derek' (way) and 'netivah' (path) emphasize God's ability to create passage through impossibility. This past deliverance grounds confidence for future redemption.