Isaiah 43:16
Isaiah 43:16 in Multiple Translations
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Thus saith Jehovah, who maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
This is the word of the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a road through the deep waters;
This is what the Lord says, the one who makes a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters;
Thus sayeth the Lord which maketh a way in the Sea, and a path in the mighty waters.
Thus said Jehovah, Who is giving in the sea a way, And in the strong waters a path.
The LORD, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters,
Thus saith the LORD, who maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Thus saith the Lord, who made a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.
I am Yahweh, the one who opened a path through the water, making a road through the Red Sea.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 43:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 43:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֹּ֚ה
אָמַ֣ר
יְהוָ֔ה
הַ/נּוֹתֵ֥ן
בַּ/יָּ֖ם
דָּ֑רֶךְ
וּ/בְ/מַ֥יִם
עַזִּ֖ים
נְתִיבָֽה
כֹּ֚ה
kôh
H3541
thus
Adv
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
הַ/נּוֹתֵ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
Art | V-Qal
בַּ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
West
Prep | N-ms
דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
וּ/בְ/מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Conj | Prep | N-mp
עַזִּ֖ים
ʻaz
H5794
strong
Adj
נְתִיבָֽה
nâthîyb
H5410
path
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 43:16
כֹּ֚ה
kôh
H3541
"thus"
Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
הַ/נּוֹתֵ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Art | V-Qal
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בַּ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Prep | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
וּ/בְ/מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Conj | Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
עַזִּ֖ים
ʻaz
H5794
"strong"
Adj
Means strong or fierce, used to describe powerful forces or intense emotions in the Bible, like greedy desires or mighty powers.
Definition: strong, mighty, fierce
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. See also: Genesis 49:3; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 18:18.
נְתִיבָֽה
nâthîyb
H5410
"path"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word means a path or road that people walk on, like a beaten track. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, referring to a traveler's journey. The word is used to describe a way or pathway.
Definition: 1) trodden with the feet, path, pathway 2) path, pathway, traveller
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: path(-way), [idiom] travel(-ler), way. See also: Judges 5:6; Proverbs 3:17; Psalms 78:50.
Study Notes — Isaiah 43:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 43:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 43:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 43:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 43:16
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 43:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
- Sermons on Isaiah 43:16
Context — A Way in the Wilderness
14Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King.”
16Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,
17who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 51:10 | Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? |
| 2 | Isaiah 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. |
| 3 | Psalms 77:19 | Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 31:35 | Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name: |
| 5 | Isaiah 51:15 | For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD of Hosts is His name. |
| 6 | Psalms 106:9 | He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. |
| 7 | Psalms 78:13 | He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall. |
| 8 | Nehemiah 9:11 | You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters. |
| 9 | Isaiah 63:11–13 | Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? |
| 10 | Psalms 74:13–14 | You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert. |
Isaiah 43:16 Summary
[This verse reminds us that God is all-powerful and able to make a way for us, even in the most difficult and overwhelming situations. Just as He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, He can make a path for us through the challenges we face (Exodus 14:13-31). By trusting in His power and love, we can have confidence that He will guide and deliver us, even when we don't know what the future holds (Psalm 23:4).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to make a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters?
This phrase is a reference to God's power and ability to deliver His people, as seen in the Exodus when He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross (Exodus 14:13-31).
How does this verse relate to my life today?
This verse reminds us that God is still the same powerful and deliverable God who can make a way for us in the midst of life's challenges, just as He did for the Israelites (Psalm 107:23-32).
What is the significance of the surging waters in this verse?
The surging waters likely represent the turbulent and chaotic circumstances of life, and God's ability to make a path through them signifies His sovereignty and control over all things (Job 38:8-11).
How can I trust in God's power to make a way for me?
We can trust in God's power by remembering His past faithfulness, as seen in this verse and throughout Scripture, and by choosing to trust in His goodness and love for us (Romans 8:28, Psalm 23:4).
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'surging waters' in my life right now, and how can I trust God to make a way for me through them?
- How have I seen God's power and deliverance in my life in the past, and how can I draw on those memories to trust Him in the present?
- What does it mean for me to 'trust in God's power' in a practical, everyday sense, and how can I live out that trust in my relationships and decisions?
- How can I use this verse to encourage and support someone else who is facing challenging circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 43:16
Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea,.... Who did make a way in the Red sea, when he led Israel through it as on dry land; this, with what follows, is observed to encourage the faith of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 43:16
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea - Allusion to the deliverance of Israel, and overthrow of
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
Who as he formerly made a pathway for his people through the Red Sea, so he will in no less wonderful manner remove all impediments or difficulties out of the way of his people, when they return from Babylon.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
Isaiah 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;Ver. 16. Which maketh a way in the sea.] Or, That made a way in the sea, &c. - sc., When your fathers came out of Egypt. Why, then, should you doubt about deliverance?
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
(16) Which maketh a way in the sea . . .—A distinct echo of Exo 14:16 and Psalms 77:19. The return from Babylon is to be as a second Exodus from another house of bondage. In the one, as in the other, the “horse and his rider” are to be thrown into the sea.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 43:16
16–21. The sequel to the overthrow of Babylon is the deliverance of Israel, the method of which is compared with the greatest miracle in Israel’s past history, the exodus from Egypt.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 43:16
Thus saith the Lord - This verse contains a reference to the deliverance from Egyptian servitude - the great storehouse of argument and illustration with the sacred writers; the standing
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 43:16
16, 17. A way in the sea… a path in the mighty waters — The Lord is to do here similarly to his doing at the Red Sea, in the exodus.
Sermons on Isaiah 43:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God Is Doing a New Thing by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the Lord's greatness and power in our lives. He starts by reminding the audience of God's intervention at the R |
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Step Out Boldly by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the concept of faith as a bridge that is built by God under the feet of those who trust in Him. He emphasizes the importance of moving forward in f |
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We Are Not Without Hope by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that those who know Christ's righteousness are never without hope, even amidst judgment and despair. He reminds us that God has blessed us with His love |
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(Hebrews) 1-Overview-2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the feeling of God's hiddenness and the darkness that comes when God withdraws his favor. He emphasizes the need for God's truth to set us fr |
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Suffering and Glory by David Jeremiah | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of a man named Joseph who faced severe persecution for sharing his faith in Jesus. Despite being beaten and left to die multiple time |
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Four Wonderful Discoveries by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the providence of God and how He prepares and guides His people. He emphasizes that if God has led someone to a particular church or ministry, |
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Through Jordan by William Booth | William Booth emphasizes the challenges faced in life, comparing them to running with footmen and contending with the swelling of Jordan, symbolizing trials and tribulations. He en |