That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

ISAIAH 63:12KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 63:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 63:12 mean?

Isaiah 63:12 describes how God led the Israelites out of Egypt by guiding Moses, using His own powerful and glorious strength to part the waters before them, so that God’s reputation would be remembered forever. The verse highlights God’s direct involvement and miraculous power in saving His people.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is recalling God’s past acts of deliverance, speaking to God and remembering how He worked through Moses to rescue Israel. The verse refers specifically to the crossing of the Red Sea, where God’s “glorious arm” divided the waters and made a way for His people, emphasizing that these acts made God’s name known and honored for generations.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 63:12

  • “Led” (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word means to guide or cause to go. Here, it shows God’s active role in directing Moses and the people, not just passively watching events unfold.
  • “Glorious” (תִּפְאַרְתּוֹ, tif’arto): This word refers to splendor or majesty. Calling God’s arm “glorious” stresses the awe-inspiring and praiseworthy nature of His intervention.
  • “Dividing” (בָּקַע, baqa): This verb means to split or cleave open. It specifically points to the dramatic moment when God parted the waters, a key miracle in Israel’s story.
  • “Everlasting” (עוֹלָם, olam): This word means forever or perpetual. The verse says God acted “to make himself an everlasting name,” highlighting that these deeds were meant to be remembered throughout all time.

Why Isaiah 63:12 matters

  • Isaiah 63:12 reminds readers that God’s miracles in Israel’s history were not just for that moment, but were intended to reveal His character and power to all generations.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s reputation (“name”) is tied to His saving acts, showing that what He does in history shapes how He is known and honored.
  • By recalling the Exodus, Isaiah connects the people’s present struggles to God’s faithfulness in the past, encouraging trust in God’s continuing power to save.

Where else these words appear

“glorious” Hebrew H8597 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
  • Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
  • Isaiah 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

“dividing” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
  • Psalms 108:6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.