Isaiah 11:15

And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make [men] go over dryshod.

And the LORD {H3068} shall utterly destroy {H2763} the tongue {H3956} of the Egyptian {H4714} sea {H3220}; and with his mighty {H5868} wind {H7307} shall he shake {H5130} his hand {H3027} over the river {H5104}, and shall smite {H5221} it in the seven {H7651} streams {H5158}, and make men go over {H1869} dryshod {H5275}.

ADONAI will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian Sea. He will shake his hand over the [Euphrates] River to bring a scorching wind, dividing it into seven streams and enabling people to cross dryshod.

The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.

And Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his scorching wind will he wave his hand over the River, and will smite it into seven streams, and cause men to march over dryshod.

Commentary

Isaiah 11:15 is a powerful prophetic declaration, detailing God's miraculous intervention to clear the way for the return of His exiled people. It paints a vivid picture of divine power overcoming natural barriers, echoing past acts of deliverance.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's larger prophecy concerning the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel. Chapter 11 begins with a description of the "shoot from the stem of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1), establishing a righteous reign of peace and justice. Following this Messianic reign, the chapter describes a glorious gathering of God's scattered people from all nations. Verse 15 specifically addresses the removal of geographical obstacles that would hinder this grand return from exile, making the path home unimpeded.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The LORD is depicted as the ultimate controller of creation, able to manipulate seas and rivers at His command. This underscores His omnipotence and His ability to achieve His redemptive purposes.
  • A Second Exodus: The imagery directly evokes the original Exodus from Egypt, where God parted the Red Sea to deliver His people. Here, it signifies a new, even greater deliverance, clearing paths through both the "Egyptian sea" (likely referring to a gulf of the Red Sea) and the "river" (understood as the Euphrates, a major barrier for exiles in Mesopotamia).
  • Removal of Obstacles: God promises to "utterly destroy" and "smite" the barriers, ensuring a "dryshod" passage. This symbolizes God's commitment to remove all hindrances to His people's restoration and their spiritual journey.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse contributes to the broader prophetic narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, assuring Israel of a future return and restoration under the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the tongue of the Egyptian sea" is a vivid metaphor, likely referring to a specific gulf or inlet of the Red Sea, such as the Gulf of Suez, which resembles a tongue extending from the main body of water. "Smite it in the seven streams" suggests a complete and thorough drying or division of the Euphrates, as it was known for its numerous channels and tributaries. The number "seven" often denotes completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, emphasizing the absolute nature of God's action.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 11:15 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance. Just as God cleared physical obstacles for Israel's return, He is capable of removing spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial barriers in our lives. This verse reminds us that when God purposes something, no obstacle is too great for Him to overcome. It encourages trust in His mighty hand to make a way where there seems to be none, guiding us through our own "exodus" experiences towards His promised future. It also points to the ultimate divine removal of all tears and sorrow in the new heaven and new earth.

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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

  • Zechariah 10:11 (6 votes)

    And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

  • Revelation 16:12 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

  • Isaiah 50:2 (5 votes)

    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 19:16 (4 votes)

    In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

  • Isaiah 19:5 (3 votes)

    And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

  • Isaiah 19:10 (3 votes)

    And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices [and] ponds for fish.

  • Isaiah 51:9 (3 votes)

    ¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?