Isaiah 63:12

12 {who made} his magnificent arm move {at} the right hand of Moses, {who divided} [the] waters {before them}, to make an everlasting name for himself,

Isaiah 63:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 63:12

That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious
arm
That is, through the Red sea, as the next clause shows: this was done by the right hand of Moses, and the rod in it, to which Kimchi thinks respect is had; who, by divine order, lifted up his rod, and stretched out his hand over the sea, and divided it, and so led the people through it: but, lest this should be attributed to Moses and his rod, the glorious arm of the Lord is made mention of, which held and guided the right hand of Moses, and from whence came all that power that was exerted on this occasion. Aben Ezra interprets this of the Angel of the Lord, that went before them: it seems to design the arm of omnipotence, which was gloriously displayed, ( Exodus 15:6 ) : dividing the water before them;
the waters of the sea, so that they rose up as a wall on each side them, through which they passed as on dry land: to make himself an everlasting name? or to get himself everlasting honour and glory, as he did on Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen, ( Exodus 14:17 ) and which wonderful action of his has been and ever will be spoken of to the glory of his name, which was the end he had in view.

Isaiah 63:12 In-Context

10 But they {were the ones who} rebelled, and they grieved {his Holy Spirit}, so he {became an enemy to them}; he himself fought against them.

11 Then his people remembered the days of old, [of] Moses. Where [is] the one who led up them from [the] sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where [is] the one who puts {his Holy Spirit} inside him,

12 {who made} his magnificent arm move {at} the right hand of Moses, {who divided} [the] waters {before them}, to make an everlasting name for himself,

13 {who led} them through the depths? They did not stumble like [a] horse in the desert;

14 like cattle in the valley [that] goes down, the Spirit of Yahweh {gave him rest}, so you lead your people to make a magnificent name for yourself.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "bringing"
• [b]. Literally "to"
• [c]. Literally "dividing"
• [d]. Literally "from their face"