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?

Art thou not it which hath dried {H2717} the sea {H3220}, the waters {H4325} of the great {H7227} deep {H8415}; that hath made {H7760} the depths {H4615} of the sea {H3220} a way {H1870} for the ransomed {H1350} to pass over {H5674}?

Wasn't it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; you who made the sea bottom a road for the redeemed to cross?

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?

Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 51:10 (KJV)

Isaiah 51:10 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by God to His people, reminding them of His past mighty acts of deliverance. This verse serves as a source of comfort and assurance, especially to the exiles in Babylon who longed for restoration.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of Comfort" in Isaiah (chapters 40-66), where the prophet addresses the discouraged and exiled Israelites. Following a call for God to "awake" and act in Isaiah 51:9, this verse immediately recalls the most significant act of God's past deliverance: the Exodus from Egypt. It serves to bolster the faith of God's people, urging them to remember His unchanging power and faithfulness, even in seemingly impossible circumstances. The ultimate hope is for a new exodus, a return from exile, leading to joy and gladness as promised in Isaiah 51:11.

Key Themes

  • God's Unchanging Power and Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's absolute control over creation, specifically His ability to manipulate the natural world (drying the sea) to achieve His redemptive purposes. This serves as a timeless reminder that no obstacle is too great for Him.
  • Divine Deliverance and Redemption: The act of making "a way for the ransomed to pass over" directly points to God's role as a deliverer. It foreshadows future redemptions and assures His people that He will act on their behalf.
  • Remembrance and Faith: By reminding Israel of His past acts, God encourages them to exercise faith in His future promises. Remembering God's faithfulness in history is crucial for maintaining hope in the present.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great deep" translates the Hebrew word tehom (Χͺהום), which refers to the primeval ocean or vast, chaotic waters. Its use here emphasizes the immense power required to part such waters, magnifying the miracle of the Red Sea crossing. The term "ransomed" comes from the Hebrew root padah (Χ€Χ“Χ”), meaning to redeem, buy back, or deliver from bondage. This term underscores that Israel's freedom was not earned but was a divine act of redemption, a concept that later finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's work on the cross, where believers are ransomed not with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ.

Related Scriptures

The core event referenced here is the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, as recorded in Exodus 14. This pivotal moment established God's identity as a powerful deliverer for His people. The theme of God making a way through impassable waters is also echoed in Isaiah 43:16, where God declares, "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters."

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 51:10 offers profound encouragement. When facing overwhelming obstacles or feeling trapped by circumstances, we are called to remember God's historical faithfulness. The same God who dried the sea for Israel is still active and powerful. This verse reminds us that:

  • God is Able: No situation is too difficult for Him. He can make a way where there seems to be no way.
  • God is Faithful: His past actions are a guarantee of His future care and redemption.
  • Hope in Adversity: When we are in spiritual or personal "exile," feeling far from God's blessings, we can find hope in His proven ability to deliver and restore His "ransomed" people.
This verse encourages us to look beyond our current struggles to the unchanging character and power of God, who continues to make paths for His redeemed to pass over.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 43:16

    Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

  • Exodus 15:13

    Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

  • Isaiah 50:2

    Wherefore, 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.

  • Isaiah 63:11

    Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?

  • Isaiah 63:12

    That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

  • Exodus 14:21

    ΒΆ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

  • Exodus 14:22

    And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
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