Isaiah 43:2

“When thou passest through the waters; I will be with thee, &c.] The Targum and Jarchi apply this to the Israelites’ passage through the waters of the Red sea, as a thing past; and Kimchi to Sennacherib’s army, compared to the waters of a river strong and many, (<230807>Isaiah 8:7,8). Jerom says, that the Jewish writers by “waters” would have the Egyptians understood; by the “rivers”, the Babylonians; by “fire”, the Macedonians; and by the “flame”, the Romans; which is not amiss; but rather the afflictions of God’s people in general are meant by waters, as by rivers also, in the next clause: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; because of the variety and multitude of them, as…”

“rivers . . . not overflow thee--so in passing Jordan, though at its "overflow," when its "swellings" were especially dangerous (Jos 3:15; Jer 12:5). waters . . . fire--a proverbial phrase for the extremest perils (Psa 66:12; also Psa 138:7). Literally fulfilled at the Red Sea (Exo 14:21-22), and in the case of the three youths cast into the fiery furnace for conscience' sake (Dan 3:25, Dan 3:27).”

“When thou passest through the waters - This is a general promise, and means that whenever and wherever they should pass through water or fire, he would protect them. It had been true in their past history as a people; and the assurance is here given in order that they might be comforted in view of the calamities which they were then suffering in Babylon. Fire and water are often used in the Scriptures to denote calamity - the latter because it overwhelms; the former because it consumes; see Psalms 69:1 - ‘The waters are come into my soul;’ also Psalms 73:10; Psalms 124:4-5; Psalms 66:12 - ‘We went through fire and through water.’ I will be with thee - (Compare the note at Isaiah 41:10). And…”

“43:2 Conquering forces could be compared to flooding rivers (see 8:8). • I will be with you: God is committed to being with his people to protect and care for them (see 7:14; 41:10; 43:5; 45:14). • Israel experienced God’s judgment as the fire of oppression during the Exile.”

“passest: Isa 8:7-10, Isa 11:15, Isa 11:16; Exo 14:29; Jos 3:15-17; Psa 66:10, Psa 66:12, Psa 91:3-5; Amo 9:8, Amo 9:9; Mat 7:25-27; Heb 11:29 I will be: Isa 41:10, Isa 41:14; Deu 31:6-8; Jos 1:5, Jos 1:9; Psa 23:4, Psa 46:4-7, Psa 91:15; Mat 1:23; Co2 12:9, Co2 12:10; Ti2 4:17, Ti2 4:22 when thou walkest: Dan 3:25-27; Zac 13:9; Mal 3:2, Mal 3:3, Mal 4:1; Luk 21:12-18; Co1 3:13-15; Heb 11:33-38; Pe1 4:12, Pe1 4:13 Isaiah 43:3”