Question 1

What does Isaiah 11:15 mean?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 11:15 describes how the LORD will dramatically intervene to remove obstacles, specifically by destroying the “tongue of the Egyptian sea” and dividing a river into seven streams so people can cross on dry ground. This verse uses vivid imagery to show God making a way for His people where there seemed to be none. In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel about a future time of deliverance. The “Egyptian sea” and the “river” likely refer to barriers like the Red Sea and the Euphrates, which once stood between Israel and freedom or return. The language recalls the Exodus, promising that God will again act powerfully to bring His people home.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 11:15

Accepted Answer

“Destroy” (חָרַם, ḥāram): This word means to completely devote to destruction or to utterly remove. Here, it emphasizes the total removal of the obstacle, not just a partial clearing. “Tongue” (לָשׁוֹן, lāšōn): In Hebrew, this word can mean a literal tongue or a tongue-shaped piece of land or water. The “tongue of the Egyptian sea” likely refers to a projecting part of the sea, such as a bay or gulf, that would block passage. “River” (נָהָר, nāhār): This usually refers to a large river, often the Euphrates in prophetic texts. Its mention here points to a major natural barrier. “Dryshod” (נַעֲלָה, na‘ălāh): This word means to walk with shoes or sandals, implying that the ground is dry enough to cross without getting wet, just as in the Exodus.

Question 3

Why Isaiah 11:15 matters

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 11:15 clears up that the prophecy is not just about a past event like the Exodus, but about a future act of deliverance, using familiar images to promise new hope. The verse emphasizes God’s power over nature and history, showing that no obstacle is too great for Him to remove when rescuing His people. This verse connects to the wider passage by building on the theme of restoration and return, assuring the people that God’s promises of gathering and saving them are certain and dramatic.

Isaiah 11:15 (KJV)