Isaiah 11:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord dries up waterways, allowing Israel to cross.
The Context of Isaiah 11:15
Water barriers are parted, enabling the journey home.
What Does Isaiah 11:15 Mean?
The 'tongue of the Egyptian sea' (probably the Red Sea) and the river (likely the Nile) are the great water barriers of the ancient world. The Lord's mighty wind—recalling the wind that parted the Red Sea at the exodus—shakes his hand over them, and they are smitten into seven streams. The people cross on dry ground.
This is a deliberate echo of the exodus: just as the Lord dried the Red Sea so Israel could escape Egypt, now he dries the return route home. The repetition of the miracle signals that this second restoration has the same cosmic power and divine intent as the first liberation.
Isaiah 11:15 in the Original Language
lashon (לָשׁוֹן), 'tongue' — a poetic term for an arm or projection of water; the 'tongue' of the sea is its narrower extension or channel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 11:15
What does Isaiah 11:15 mean?
The Lord dries up waterways, allowing Israel to cross.
What is the context of Isaiah 11:15?
Water barriers are parted, enabling the journey home.