Isaiah 11:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be an highway {H4546} for the remnant {H7605} of his people {H5971}, which {H834} shall be left {H7604}, from Assyria {H804}; like as it was to Israel {H3478} in the day {H3117} that he came up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There will be a highway for the remnant of his people who are still left from Ashur, just as there was for Isra'el when he came out from the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 11:16 culminates a prophetic vision of future restoration, declaring that a clear path, like a highway, will be established for the surviving remnant of God's people to return from Assyria. This grand return is explicitly compared to the foundational Exodus from Egypt, signifying a divinely orchestrated, even greater act of deliverance and re-gathering for Israel from all nations where they have been scattered. The verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign power to bring about comprehensive restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 11 paints a vivid picture of the future Messianic Kingdom, beginning with the prophecy of the [Branch from Jesse](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse"), who will rule with perfect righteousness, wisdom, and the Spirit of the Lord. Verses 6-9 describe a transformed creation where peace reigns, even among animals, symbolizing the harmonious effects of the Messiah's reign. Verses 10-16 then shift focus to the gathering of God's scattered people, emphasizing a "second time" (verse 11) that the Lord will recover His remnant from various nations. This section highlights the unity of Judah and Ephraim and the subjugation of their historical enemies, culminating in the powerful imagery of the highway in verse 16, which provides the means for this grand return. The entire chapter anticipates a glorious future under the Messiah's rule, marked by justice, peace, and the restoration of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop for Isaiah's prophecy was the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and was a constant menace to Judah. While the verse specifically mentions "Assyria," this likely functions as a synecdoche for all places of exile and oppression, given the broader scope of the "second time" gathering from various nations in [Isaiah 11:11](/isaiah/11-11 "Isaiah 11:11 - The Second Gathering of the Remnant"). The comparison to the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") is profoundly significant, as the Exodus was the foundational redemptive event in Israel's history, establishing their identity as God's chosen people and demonstrating His power to deliver them from bondage. By drawing this parallel, Isaiah elevates the future restoration to an unparalleled level of divine intervention and historical significance, promising a deliverance that would rival or even surpass the first.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Central is the theme of **The Remnant of God's People**, referring to the faithful portion of Israel preserved through judgment, through whom God's covenant promises will be fulfilled. The mention of those "left, from Assyria" underscores God's preservation of His people even in the hands of their oppressors. Another dominant theme is **Divine Deliverance and Restoration**, emphasizing God's sovereign and miraculous intervention to bring His people home, not through natural means but through His mighty hand. This act of restoration is explicitly linked to the **New Exodus**, a recurring motif in Isaiah ([Isaiah 43:16-21](/isaiah/43-16 "Isaiah 43:16-21 - A New Way in the Wilderness")) that prophesies a future deliverance even greater than the first, demonstrating God's continued faithfulness to His covenant. Finally, the imagery of **The Highway of Return** signifies God's providential care in preparing a clear, unobstructed, and safe path for His people, echoing the "highway of holiness" in [Isaiah 35:8](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8 - The Highway of Holiness") and symbolizing the ease and security of their divinely guided journey.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **highway (Hebrew, _mᵉçillâh'_):** From a root meaning to be turnpiked or elevated, this word signifies a thoroughfare, a prepared and often raised road, suggesting ease of travel and safety. It implies a divinely engineered path, not a natural, difficult terrain, highlighting God's active role in clearing obstacles for the returning remnant.
* **remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be redundant" or "to be left over," this term refers to a remainder or residue. In prophetic literature, it holds significant theological weight, denoting the portion of God's people who survive judgment and remain faithful, through whom God's redemptive purposes will be continued and fulfilled.
* **Egypt (Hebrew, _Mitsrayim'_):** This term refers to Upper and Lower Egypt. Its inclusion here is critical as it invokes the historical Exodus, the foundational redemptive event for Israel. By comparing the future return to the "day that he came up out of the land of Egypt," the prophet elevates the promised restoration to the level of Israel's most significant act of divine deliverance, underscoring its miraculous nature and God's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people":** This clause introduces the central image of the verse: a prepared, clear path. This "highway" is specifically for the "remnant," the preserved portion of God's chosen people who have survived exile and judgment. It signifies God's active provision and preparation for their safe return, ensuring their journey is not arduous but divinely facilitated.
* **"which shall be left, from Assyria":** This specifies the origin of a significant portion of the remnant. While "Assyria" was a prominent oppressor in Isaiah's time, it likely represents all nations where Israel was scattered, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of God's re-gathering. The phrase "shall be left" emphasizes God's preservation of a faithful core amidst widespread dispersion.
* **"like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt":** This powerful simile draws a direct parallel to the Exodus, the defining moment of Israel's liberation and formation as a nation. By comparing the future return to this foundational event, the prophet elevates the promised restoration to an unparalleled level of divine intervention and miraculous deliverance, suggesting it will be just as, if not more, grand and awe-inspiring than the first Exodus.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 11:16 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stated in "like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt." This comparison to the Exodus from Egypt is not merely an analogy but a profound theological statement, elevating the future restoration to the status of Israel's most significant redemptive act. The imagery of a "highway" functions as **Symbolism**, representing a divinely prepared, unobstructed, and safe path for the returning exiles, signifying God's providential care and sovereign power to remove all obstacles. Furthermore, "Assyria" can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (one specific oppressor) stands for the whole (all nations where Israel was scattered), broadening the scope of the promised return to a universal re-gathering of God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 11:16 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign power to restore His people. The "new Exodus" imagery signifies that God's redemptive work is not a one-time event but an ongoing demonstration of His character, culminating in a future restoration that will surpass even the miraculous deliverance from Egypt. This prophecy assures believers that no matter how scattered or oppressed God's people may be, He will always make a way for their return and ultimate restoration, fulfilling His purposes through a preserved remnant. It speaks to the hope of a divinely orchestrated journey home, both physically for Israel and spiritually for all who trust in Him.

* [Isaiah 35:8-10](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8-10 - The Highway of Holiness and Return")
* [Jeremiah 23:7-8](/jeremiah/23-7 "Jeremiah 23:7-8 - The New Exodus Prophecy")
* [Ezekiel 37:21-28](/ezekiel/37-21 "Ezekiel 37:21-28 - The Re-gathering and Unification of Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 11:16 offers profound hope and reassurance, reminding believers of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak or His people are scattered. It teaches that God has the power to deliver His people from any form of captivity, oppression, or spiritual exile, just as He did for ancient Israel. For contemporary readers, this verse can symbolize God's ability to create a clear path through difficult life seasons, guiding His people towards their ultimate spiritual and physical restoration. It encourages trust in God's redemptive plan, which often involves miraculous intervention and the gathering of His chosen ones, looking forward to the ultimate [new heaven and new earth](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God's Promise of a New Creation") where all things are made new. It calls us to recognize God's sovereign hand in history, orchestrating events to bring about His purposes, and to find comfort in His promise to always provide a way for His people to return to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need God to create a "highway" or clear a path for you?**
* **How does the "new Exodus" theme encourage you about God's power to deliver from present difficulties?**
* **What does it mean to be part of God's "remnant" today, and how should that shape your life?**
* **How does this prophecy of restoration deepen your trust in God's long-term plan for humanity and creation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "highway" imagery in Isaiah 11:16?**

Answer: The "highway" (Hebrew: *mesillah*) signifies a divinely prepared, unobstructed, and safe path. It's not a natural, difficult wilderness trail, but a well-built road, often elevated. This imagery emphasizes God's sovereign power and providential care in removing all obstacles and making the return journey easy and secure for His people. It highlights that this restoration is not a human effort but a miraculous act of God, ensuring the safe passage of the remnant back to their homeland. This concept is echoed in other prophecies, such as the [Highway of Holiness in Isaiah 35:8](/isaiah/35-8 "Isaiah 35:8 - The Highway of Holiness").

**How does the comparison to the Exodus from Egypt enhance the meaning of this verse?**

Answer: The explicit comparison to the [Exodus from the land of Egypt](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") is profoundly significant because the Exodus was the foundational redemptive act for ancient Israel, establishing their identity as God's chosen people and demonstrating His unparalleled power to deliver them from bondage. By drawing this parallel, Isaiah prophesies an even greater act of deliverance and re-gathering, a "new Exodus" that will surpass the first in its scope and wonder. It underscores God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises and assures His people that His future intervention will be just as, if not more, miraculous and comprehensive than their past liberation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 11:16, with its promise of a "highway" for the returning remnant and its echoes of a "new Exodus," finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the prophecy initially pointed to a physical return of Israel, the New Testament reveals that the true "highway" to God is Christ Himself, who declared, "[I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")." He is the means by which God's scattered people—both Jew and Gentile—are gathered into one body, the Church, forming the spiritual "remnant" of God's elect ([Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - A Remnant Will Be Saved")). The "new Exodus" is realized in Christ's redemptive work on the cross, where He delivered humanity from the bondage of sin and death, a far greater liberation than the physical escape from Egypt. Just as God made a way through the Red Sea, Christ has opened a new and living way through His torn flesh ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, believers are brought out of spiritual exile and into the glorious freedom of God's kingdom, journeying on the "highway of holiness" that is Christ Himself, towards the ultimate dwelling with God in the [new heavens and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 19:23

In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

Isaiah 35:8

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err [therein].

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 11:11

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Isaiah 62:10

¶ Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

Exodus 14:26

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

Exodus 14:29

But 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.