Isaiah 51:15

But I [am] the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts [is] his name.

But I am the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, that divided {H7280} the sea {H3220}, whose waves {H1530} roared {H1993}: The LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} is his name {H8034}.

For I am ADONAI your God, who stirs up the sea, who makes its waves roar - ADONAI-Tzva'ot is my name.

For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD of Hosts is His name.

For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name.

Commentary

Isaiah 51:15 (KJV) powerfully declares God's omnipotence and His historical actions on behalf of His people, providing a foundational reason for trust and hope.

Context

This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section of Isaiah's prophecy primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Following a call for Israel to awaken and remember God's mighty acts, the prophet Isaiah reassures them that their God, who once delivered their ancestors from Egypt, is still capable and willing to deliver them from their current oppression. The broader passage (Isaiah 51:9-16) specifically recalls God's past demonstrations of power as a basis for future hope and promises of restoration and deliverance.

Key Themes

  • God's Unchallengeable Power: The verse highlights God as the one who controls the most chaotic forces of nature ("whose waves roared"), demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation.
  • Divine Deliverance and Faithfulness: The reference to dividing "the sea" is a direct allusion to the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus, a monumental act of salvation that serves as an eternal reminder of God's saving power and faithfulness to His covenant people.
  • God's Personal Relationship: The phrase "thy God" emphasizes a personal, covenantal relationship between the Almighty and His people, assuring them that this immense power is wielded on their behalf.
  • The Majesty of God's Name: "The LORD of hosts is his name" underscores His identity as the supreme commander of all heavenly and earthly forces, indicating His limitless authority and ability to act.

Linguistic Insights

  • The name "LORD" (Hebrew: Yahweh or YHWH) is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.
  • The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful designation. "Sabaoth" can mean "armies" or "hosts" (as in celestial bodies, angels, or earthly forces). It emphasizes God's supreme authority as the commander of all creation, reinforcing His ability to overcome any opposition. This title often appears in contexts of divine power and majesty, such as in Psalm 24:10.
  • "Divided the sea" refers to the miraculous intervention at the Red Sea, an iconic event demonstrating God's ability to create a path where none existed, out of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:15 serves as a profound source of comfort and courage for believers today. When facing "roaring waves" of life's challenges, fears, or uncertainties, this verse reminds us that our God is the same all-powerful God who controls the forces of nature and history. We are called to remember His past faithfulness as a guarantee of His future care. His name, "The LORD of hosts," assures us that He is sovereign over every circumstance, able to deliver, protect, and fulfill His purposes, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. This should inspire trust and bolster faith in His unfailing power and presence.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 31:35

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, [and] the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts [is] his name:

  • Isaiah 54:5

    For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  • Amos 9:5

    And the Lord GOD of hosts [is] he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as [by] the flood of Egypt.

  • Amos 9:6

    [It is] he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name.

  • Isaiah 47:4

    [As for] our redeemer, the LORD of hosts [is] his name, the Holy One of Israel.

  • Psalms 136:13

    To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

  • Jeremiah 10:16

    The portion of Jacob [is] not like them: for he [is] the former of all [things]; and Israel [is] the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts [is] his name.
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