Isaiah 51:10
Art 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?
Original Language Analysis
הֲל֤וֹא
H3808
הֲל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִיא֙
H1931
הִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַמַּחֲרֶ֣בֶת
Art thou not it which hath dried
H2717
הַמַּחֲרֶ֣בֶת
Art thou not it which hath dried
Strong's:
H2717
Word #:
4 of 14
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
יָ֔ם
of the sea
H3220
יָ֔ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 14
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
מֵ֖י
the waters
H4325
מֵ֖י
the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
6 of 14
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
תְּה֣וֹם
deep
H8415
תְּה֣וֹם
deep
Strong's:
H8415
Word #:
7 of 14
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
רַבָּ֑ה
of the great
H7227
רַבָּ֑ה
of the great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
8 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
הַשָּׂ֙מָה֙
that hath made
H7760
הַשָּׂ֙מָה֙
that hath made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
יָ֔ם
of the sea
H3220
יָ֔ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
11 of 14
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
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
a way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Isaiah 43:16Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Exodus 15:13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Historical Context
The Exodus functioned as Israel's foundational salvation narrative, proving God could save despite impossible odds. This became template for understanding all subsequent deliverances, including ultimate salvation through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Red Sea crossing demonstrate that no obstacle can prevent God accomplishing your salvation?
- What 'seas' (impossible barriers) is God drying up to enable your spiritual progress?
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question 'Art thou not it that hath dried the sea?' recalls the Red Sea crossing as proof of God's power over nature and nations. The purpose 'that the redeemed might pass over' shows that God's mighty acts serve soteriological purposes - power is always directed toward saving His people. This establishes that creation miracles aren't arbitrary displays but purposeful acts accomplishing redemption.