Isaiah 43:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God brings forth chariots, horses, armies, and powers, but then extinguishes them like smoldering flax—they are destroyed and do not rise.
The Context of Isaiah 43:17
Describing God's past destruction of Egypt's army and asserting His power over all empires.
What Does Isaiah 43:17 Mean?
This verse describes Pharaoh's army pursuing Israel at the Red Sea. God 'brings forth' the Egyptian military (the Exodus narrative shows God 'hardened' Pharaoh's heart, drawing him to his own ruin). Then God extinguishes that power: they lie down in the sea, they do not rise again, and they are 'quenched as tow'—like burning flax, suddenly snuffed out.
The image shifts the perspective: God is not threatened by human military power; He deploys it and eliminates it as easily as smothering a flame. For Israel trembling before Babylon's empire, this is radical assurance. Babylon's mighty army is 'tow'—easily consumed, already destined to become ash. God's sovereignty over empires is absolute.
Isaiah 43:17 in the Original Language
tevel (תֶּבֶל), 'tow' — the fiber or filament of flax, easy to ignite and extinguish. A metaphor for fragility and combustibility before God's power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 43:17
What does Isaiah 43:17 mean?
God brings forth chariots, horses, armies, and powers, but then extinguishes them like smoldering flax—they are destroyed and do not rise.
What is the context of Isaiah 43:17?
Describing God's past destruction of Egypt's army and asserting His power over all empires.