Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King." Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
Earlier text
Significance
Isaiah 43:14-17 constitutes the fullest new-exodus passage in the chapter, systematically recalling Exodus 14. Verse 16 describes God as the LORD "who makes a way in the sea (יָם, yam) and a path through the surging waters (מַיִם עַזִּים, mayim azzim)," echoing Moses stretching out his hand over the sea. Verse 17 parallels the destruction of Pharaoh's army: "the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together" lie down "never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick." This language mirrors Exodus 14:28 where the waters returned and covered the chariots and horsemen. Isaiah then pivots in vv. 18-19 to declare that the new exodus will so exceed the original that the first one should no longer dominate Israel's memory.
