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Isaiah 51:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 51:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name.
Isaiah 51:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass;
13and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
14The captive exile shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not die [and go down] into the pit, neither shall his bread fail.
15For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name.
16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
17Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it.
18There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand among all the sons that she hath brought up.
← Isaiah 51:14Isaiah 51:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But I am the Lord thy God that divided the sea, whose waves roared, &c.] Referring to the dividing of the Red sea by a violent wind, at which time the waves of it doubtless roared till they were made to stand quietly, as a wall on the right and left, for the Israelites to pass through, as in (<235110>Isaiah 51:10). Or this is to be understood of the power of God at any time in stilling and quieting the sea when it rages; which signification the wordf1013 here used has, as Aben Ezra observes; which power is expressed by a rebuke or reproof of it. And so the Targum, “I am the Lord thy God, that rebuketh the sea:” and in like manner the Syriac version; (see <19A609>Psalm 106:9 <235002>Isaiah…”
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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
“divided . . . sea--the Red Sea. The same Hebrew word as "make to rest" (Isa 51:4). Rather, "that terrify the sea," that is, restrain it by My rebuke, "when its waves roar" [GESENIUS]. The Hebrew favors MAURER, "that terrify the sea so that the waves roar." The sense favors GESENIUS (Jer 5:22; Jer 31:35), or English Version (Isa 51:9-10, which favors the special reference to the exodus from Egypt).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But I am the Lord thy God - In order to show them that he was able to save them, God again refers to the fact that he had divided the sea, and delivered their fathers from bondage and oppression. That divided the sea - The Red Sea. The Chaldee renders this, ‘That rebuked the sea.’ The Septuagint, Ὁ ταράσσων ho tarassōn - ‘Who disturbs the sea.’ or, who excites a tempest. Lowth renders it, ‘Who stilleth at once the sea.’ The Hebrew word is the same which occurs in Isaiah 51:4, where it is rendered, ‘I will make my judgment to rest’ (רגע râga‛). Probably the idea here is, that he restrains the raging of the sea as if by fear; that is, makes it tranquil or still by rebuking it. He had this…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“51:15 I am the Lord: The Lord uses this formula to identify himself as the covenant God and to assure his people of the truth of his word and the reliability of his actions (see 27:3-4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that divided: Isa 51:10; Neh 9:11; Job 26:12; Psa 74:13, Psa 114:3-5, Psa 136:13; Jer 31:35; Amo 9:5, Amo 9:6 The Lord: Isa 47:4, Isa 48:2, Isa 54:5; Jer 10:16 Isaiah 51:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification