Isaiah 11 16

Isaiah 11:16 kjv

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Isaiah 11:16 nkjv

There will be a highway for the remnant of His people Who will be left from Assyria, As it was for Israel In the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.

Isaiah 11:16 niv

There will be a highway for the remnant of his people that is left from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from Egypt.

Isaiah 11:16 esv

And there will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.

Isaiah 11:16 nlt

He will make a highway for the remnant of his people,
the remnant coming from Assyria,
just as he did for Israel long ago
when they returned from Egypt.

Isaiah 11 verses

Isaiah 11 16 meaning

This verse prophesies a future, divinely orchestrated return of the dispersed remnant of God's people from exile, particularly from Assyria. This new journey back to the Promised Land will be made easy and secure by God's powerful intervention, echoing and even surpassing the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. It signifies a profound spiritual and physical restoration for Israel in the Messianic era.

Isaiah 11 16 Context

Isaiah 11 opens with a profound prophecy of the Messiah, portrayed as a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (v.1). His reign is characterized by righteous judgment, the Spirit's endowment, universal peace, and the restoration of a harmonious creation (v.6-9), signaling the knowledge of the Lord covering the earth. Verses 10-16 then shift focus to the gathering of God's dispersed people under this Messianic King. The "root of Jesse" becomes a banner drawing nations and, significantly, God "will again lay his hand a second time to recover the remnant of his people" (v.11), bringing them from all corners of the earth, explicitly mentioning regions like Assyria, Egypt, and others. Verse 15 details God's miraculous intervention, drying up the Tongue of the Sea of Egypt and the River (Euphrates) to prepare a pathway for their return. Verse 16 directly follows, summarizing and climactically concluding this vision of a magnificent, divinely facilitated return journey.

Historically, Isaiah prophesied during the 8th century BC, a period dominated by the Assyrian Empire. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC, and many of its people were exiled and dispersed across the Assyrian empire (2 Kings 17). Judah, while threatened and often tribute-paying, had largely avoided this fate in Isaiah's immediate context. Therefore, the promise of return from "Assyria" was immensely significant, especially for the exiled northern tribes, but also as a general promise encompassing all future exiles (e.g., Babylonian exile which occurred later). The comparison to the Exodus from Egypt invokes Israel's foundational act of divine deliverance, a benchmark for all subsequent redemption and restoration.

Isaiah 11 16 Word analysis

• And there shall be: Signifies a certain, divinely decreed future event, not a possibility but an assured promise. This phrasing asserts God's sovereign will and ultimate plan.
• an highway (Hebrew: מְסִלָּה – mesillah): Literally means a raised or leveled road, often implying a processional way or a path made smooth. Spiritually, it conveys an image of ease, directness, and security for the returnees. This isn't a treacherous path but a divinely engineered passage, eliminating obstacles.
• for the remnant (Hebrew: שְׁאָר – she'ar): This theological term refers to those few who survive divine judgment and persecution, preserved by God's grace. It emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant by always keeping a faithful core, irrespective of national apostasy or scattering. These are the ones who will experience the promised salvation.
• of his people: Clearly identifies the beneficiaries of this restoration as God's chosen people, Israel, with whom He made a covenant. It highlights His continued ownership and commitment.
• which shall be left: Further clarifies the nature of the "remnant" – those who endure through the trials and dispersion, surviving to witness God's redemptive hand.
• from Assyria (Hebrew: אַשּׁוּר – ashur): A specific geographical and political entity, notorious for exiling the northern kingdom of Israel. This detail emphasizes that God's restoration will be from the very places of their oppression and dispersion, covering not just Assyria but other places listed in v.11.
• like as it was: Establishes a profound historical and theological parallel. The coming event is to be understood as being of the same nature, significance, and miraculous character as a past, defining act of God. It assures a miraculous and divinely led intervention.
• to Israel: Refers to the entire nation, encompassing all the tribes, emphasizing a national, unified restoration, overcoming past divisions (like between Judah and Ephraim in v.13).
• in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם – mitsrayim): A direct reference to the Exodus, the foundational redemptive event for ancient Israel. The comparison signifies that this future return from exile will be a "New Exodus"—an event of comparable, if not greater, magnitude and miraculous divine power. It evokes images of God’s strong arm, wondrous signs, deliverance from oppressive powers, and the birth of a new era for His people.

Words-group analysis:

• "an highway for the remnant of his people": This phrase points to a direct, facilitated, and safe passage specially prepared by God for the scattered survivors, showcasing divine providence and protective care over His chosen ones.
• "from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt": This extensive comparison prophesies a "New Exodus," illustrating God's consistent character as the great Deliverer. It signifies a future redemptive act that will not only match but even transcend the historical Exodus in its miraculous nature and comprehensive gathering of His people from all corners of their dispersion, specifically including the land of their earliest major conquerors.

Isaiah 11 16 Bonus section

• The term "came up" (עלה - `alah) from Egypt often signifies a spiritual elevation or advancement as much as a physical departure, implying that the "New Exodus" will bring Israel into a new, higher state of spiritual flourishing and national glory.
• While primarily concerning the literal, physical return of the Jewish people to their land, this prophecy also contains deep spiritual applications, prefiguring the way Christ establishes a "highway" of salvation for all believers (the spiritual remnant) to return to God, gathering them from all nations (Gal 3:28; Rev 7:9).
• The emphasis on Assyria, in particular, resonates deeply with the fate of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), making the promise of return specifically hopeful for the lost ten tribes.
• This "second Exodus" in prophecy often carries even richer and more glorious connotations than the first, implying a more complete and ultimate redemption, both spiritual and physical.

Isaiah 11 16 Commentary

Isaiah 11:16 serves as a powerful concluding affirmation of God's unwavering commitment to the ultimate restoration of His covenant people within the Messianic age. The promised "highway" is not just a physical road but a symbol of God's active removal of all obstacles, preparing an unimpeded, secure passage for the remnant's return. This anticipates a divine intervention so grand it will parallel, or even surpass, the monumental Exodus from Egypt – the defining moment of Israel's liberation and nationhood. The New Exodus will gather those dispersed from powerful oppressive empires like Assyria, signifying God's ultimate victory over all human forces that attempt to thwart His purposes. It underlines that God's plan is not simply to bring people back geographically but to bring them into a new era of unity, peace, and spiritual fullness under the Messiah's righteous rule, fulfilling the broader promises of a unified Israel.