Isaiah 63:13

13 and led them through the muddy abyss as surefooted as horses on hard, level ground?

Isaiah 63:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 63:13

That led them through the deep
The depths, the bottom of the sea; not through the shallow, but where the waters had been deepest, the descent greatest; and at the bottom of which might have been expected much filth and dirt to hinder them in their passage, yet through this he led them: as an horse in the wilderness;
or rather, "in a plain", as the word F2 sometimes signifies; and so Kimchi renders it a plain land, and Jarchi smooth land. The sense is, that the Israelites passed through the sea with as much ease, and as little difficulty, as a good horse will run over a plain, where there is nothing to stop his course: that they should not stumble?
there being no clay to stick in, no stone to stumble at, but all like an even plain.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 (rbdmb) "in planitie", Calvin, Gataker, Vitringa; "in campis", Grotius.

Isaiah 63:13 In-Context

11 Then they remembered the old days, the days of Moses, God's servant: "Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock up and out of the sea? And what happened to the One who set his Holy Spirit within them?
12 Who linked his arm with Moses' right arm, divided the waters before them, Making him famous ever after,
13 and led them through the muddy abyss as surefooted as horses on hard, level ground?
14 Like a herd of cattle led to pasture, the Spirit of God gave them rest." That's how you led your people! That's how you became so famous!
15 Look down from heaven, look at us! Look out the window of your holy and magnificent house! Whatever happened to your passion, your famous mighty acts, Your heartfelt pity, your compassion? Why are you holding back?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.