Isaiah 43:2
When 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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַעֲבֹ֤ר
When thou passest through
H5674
תַעֲבֹ֤ר
When thou passest through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 18
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בַּמַּ֙יִם֙
the waters
H4325
בַּמַּ֙יִם֙
the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
3 of 18
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אִתְּךָ
H854
אִתְּךָ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וּבַנְּהָר֖וֹת
I will be with thee and through the rivers
H5104
וּבַנְּהָר֖וֹת
I will be with thee and through the rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
6 of 18
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁטְפ֑וּךָ
they shall not overflow
H7857
יִשְׁטְפ֑וּךָ
they shall not overflow
Strong's:
H7857
Word #:
8 of 18
to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֵלֵ֤ךְ
H1980
תֵלֵ֤ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכָּוֶ֔ה
thou shalt not be burned
H3554
תִכָּוֶ֔ה
thou shalt not be burned
Strong's:
H3554
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, to prick or penetrate; hence, to blister (as smarting or eating into)
Cross References
Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Psalms 66:12Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Psalms 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Hebrews 11:29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Psalms 66:10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.Matthew 1:23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Exodus 14:29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Historical Context
Israel faced literal water crossings (Red Sea, Jordan) where God's presence meant salvation, not drowning. Babylon's fiery furnace (Daniel 3) demonstrated God's protective presence—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked in flames unharmed because the fourth figure (interpreted as Christ pre-incarnate) walked with them. First-century Christians facing martyrdom by fire found courage in this promise. Church history records countless believers who testified to God's sustaining presence in persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'waters' or 'fires' are you currently facing, and how does God's promise of presence change your perspective on them?
- How can you cultivate awareness of God's presence in trials rather than focusing only on the difficulty itself?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse offers profound assurance of God's presence in life's most overwhelming trials. The 'when' (not 'if') acknowledges that believers will face difficulties. Four scenarios represent different types of trials: waters (overwhelming circumstances), rivers (strong opposition), fire (persecution/testing), and flames (intense suffering). God doesn't promise exemption from trials but presence in them—'I will be with thee.' The promise that waters won't overflow and fire won't burn us doesn't mean we won't get wet or feel heat, but that trials won't destroy us. God's sustaining grace ensures our survival and ultimate victory.