And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

ISAIAH 11:16KJV
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Isaiah 11:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 11:16 mean?

Isaiah 11:16 promises that God will make a way for the surviving members of his people to return from Assyria. The verse compares their return to Israel’s departure from Egypt, presenting the earlier escape as a pattern for a future gathering.

The “highway” pictures a clear route through obstacles, rather than an ordinary road. Coming after the removal of barriers in verse 15, the image gives the scattered people a way home.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 11:16

  • “highway” — מְסִלָּה (mesillah): This word means a raised or prepared road. The image suggests a route made ready for a journey.
  • “remnant” — שְׁאָר (she’ar): This word means those who remain. In this verse, the people traveling from Assyria are survivors, not the whole population.

Why Isaiah 11:16 matters

  • The comparison with Egypt gives the return a familiar history. Israel’s departure from Egypt was the great journey of a people who had been held there.
  • The verse places Assyria within a wider gathering. Verse 11 names Assyria among several places from which the remaining people will be brought back.
  • The road serves a group, not just individuals traveling separately. “His people” and the comparison with Israel’s departure from Egypt picture a shared journey.

Where else these words appear

“remnant” Hebrew H7605 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 11:8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
  • Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
  • Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

“highway” Hebrew H4546 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 20:19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
  • 2 Samuel 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
  • Isaiah 19:23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

“which” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;

“left” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Ezra 9:15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.