When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
What does Isaiah 43:2 mean?
God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Isaiah 43:1-4 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:2
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 Psalm 69:1 - 'The waters are come into my soul;' also Psalm 73:10 ; Psalm 124:4-5 ; Psalm 66:12 - 'We went through fire and through water.
Key words
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Context in Isaiah 43
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Isaiah 43 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as comfort and the servant songs. Isaiah is one of Scripture’s grandest prophetic books, moving from holy judgment to consolation, servant imagery, and new-creation hope. Read this chapter with the wider themes of holiness, judgment, and remnant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Who quoted Isaiah 43:2?
Find out who used Isaiah 43:2 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Isaiah 43:2?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «when thou passest through the waters»):