Isaiah 43:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God is the one who made a path through the sea—a reference to the Red Sea crossing and His power over nature.
The Context of Isaiah 43:16
God's past deliverance (Red Sea) is recalled to assure future deliverance from Babylon.
What Does Isaiah 43:16 Mean?
The past tense 'maketh' (literally 'the one who makes,' describing God's characteristic action) evokes the Exodus, when God parted the Red Sea and created a path for Israel. This memory anchors the present promise: the God who delivered then is the same God who will deliver now. Each generation inherits the confidence of Exodus deliverance.
The 'mighty waters' and 'sea' represent overwhelming natural forces, yet they become a passageway under God's command. The reversal is complete: the barrier becomes the highway. In the coming return from Babylon, God will again 'make a way' through obstacles—geographic, political, and spiritual—so His people can return.
Isaiah 43:16 in the Original Language
derech (דֶּרֶךְ), 'way' or 'path' — more than a route; a divinely established direction for God's people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 43:16
What does Isaiah 43:16 mean?
God is the one who made a path through the sea—a reference to the Red Sea crossing and His power over nature.
What is the context of Isaiah 43:16?
God's past deliverance (Red Sea) is recalled to assure future deliverance from Babylon.