Isaiah 51:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 51:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?
Isaiah 51:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, &c.] That is, the Red sea, and the deep waters of it; as it did, by causing a strong east wind to blow, which drove the sea back, and made it a dry land, in the midst of which the children of Israel walked as on dry land, (<021421>Exodus 14:21,29) and the same arm and mighty power can and will dry up the waters of the river Euphrates, to prepare the way of the kings of the east, (<661612>Revelation 16:12): that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? divided the waters of the sea, made a path through them for the Israelites that were redeemed out of Egyptian bondage and slavery, to pass over,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it--the arm. Art not Thou the same Almighty power that . . . ? dried the sea--the Red Sea (Isa 43:16; Exo 14:21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Art thou not it - Art thou not still the same? The ground of the appeal is, that the same arm that dried up the sea, and made a path for the Jewish people, was still able to interpose and rescue them. Which hath dried the sea - The Red Sea when the children of Israel passed over Exodus 14:21. This is the common illustration to which the Hebrew prophets and poets appeal, when they wish to refer to the interposition of God in favor of their nation (compare Psalms 105:0; see the notes at Isaiah 43:16). For the ransomed to pass over - Those who had been ransomed from Egypt. The word rendered ‘ransomed’ is that which is commonly rendered ‘redeemed.’ The argument in this verse is, that he who had…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“dried: Isa 42:15, Isa 43:16, Isa 50:2, Isa 63:11, Isa 63:12; Exo 14:21, Exo 14:22, Exo 15:13; Psa 74:13 Isaiah 51:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification