Isaiah 63:14

14 as a beast going down in the field? The Spirit of the Lord was the leader thereof; so thou leddest thy people, that thou madest to thee a name of glory. (like a beast going down into the field? The Spirit of the Lord was their leader; so thou leddest thy people, and thou madest a glorious name for thyself.)

Isaiah 63:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 63:14

As a beast goeth down into the valley
Softly and gently, especially when laden; which may have some respect to the descent of the Israelites into the sea, into which they entered without any fear and dread, and without any hurry and precipitation, though Pharaoh's host was behind them; or rather, "as a beast goes along a valley", or "plain" ^F3; with ease, and without any interruption, so passed the Israelites through the sea. Thus the Targum renders it,

``as a beast goes, or is led, in a plain;''

so the word is used in ( Isaiah 38:8 ) , and elsewhere: the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest;
or gently led him, that is, Israel; he walked on through the sea, with as much facility, and as little danger, as a beast walks on in a valley, or a horse in a plain. Some understand this of leading Israel through the wilderness, where often resting places were found for them, and at last they were brought to the land of rest, Canaan, and settled there: so didst thou lead thy people;
both through the sea, and through the wilderness, in a like easy, safe, and gentle manner: to make thyself a glorious name;
among the nations of the world, as he did by this amazing appearance of his for Israel; and it is hoped by those, whose words these are, he would do the like again, and get himself immortal glory.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (drt heqbb hmhbk) "sicut jumentum quod in campo, [vel] valle, [vel] planitie, graditur", Gataker.

Isaiah 63:14 In-Context

12 which led out Moses to the right half in the arm of his majesty? which parted waters before them, that he should make to himself a name everlasting; (who led them out by the right hand of Moses with his majestic arm? who parted the waters before them, so that he would make an everlasting name for himself?)

13 which led them out through depths of waters, as an horse not stumbling in desert, (who led them out through the depths of the waters, like a horse not stumbling in the wilderness,)

14 as a beast going down in the field? The Spirit of the Lord was the leader thereof; so thou leddest thy people, that thou madest to thee a name of glory. (like a beast going down into the field? The Spirit of the Lord was their leader; so thou leddest thy people, and thou madest a glorious name for thyself.)

15 Behold thou from heaven, and see from thine holy dwelling place, and from the seat of thy glory. Where is thy fervent love, and thy strength, the multitude of thine entrails, and of thy merciful doings? They withheld themselves on me (Why hast thou withheld thyself from us?).

16 Forsooth thou art our father, and Abraham knew not us, and Israel knew not us. Thou, Lord, art our father, and our again-buyer; thy name is from the world. (For thou art our father, though Abraham knew us not, and Israel, or Jacob, knew us not. Thou, Lord, art our father, and our Redeemer; thy name is from forever.)