who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just highlight God's power in dividing the sea, but that He intentionally placed His "glorious arm" at Moses' right hand. This isn't just about God working through Moses, but about God intimately supporting and empowering His chosen leader in a way that ensured His own name would be forever remembered.
who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a prayer or reflection where the speaker is recalling God's past faithfulness, especially during the Exodus from Egypt. They are contrasting God's powerful actions then, like dividing the Red Sea, with their current difficult circumstances, seeking to understand why they are suffering now. The verses before and after describe God's past acts of salvation and the people's subsequent rebellion, leading into this reminder of His glorious intervention.
When we read about God's 'arm,' what comes to mind? Is it just raw strength, or is there something more profound at play?
Isaiah speaks of God's 'glorious arm' in verse 12. This isn't just a metaphor for power; it's about God's active, majestic, and often surprising intervention in human history.
Divine Presence and Action
What does it mean for God to make an 'everlasting name' for Himself? Is it about fame, or something far more significant?
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The ultimate purpose behind God's mighty acts, like dividing the Red Sea, was to secure His 'everlasting name.' This refers to His eternal reputation, His renown, and the unwavering testimony of His character to all generations.
The Goal of Miracles
Understand the original words
zĕrôaʿ tipʾeret · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical expression in Scripture denoting God's power, strength, and active intervention in history to accomplish His will and deliver His people. It emphasizes God's sovereign ability to act on behalf of those He redeems.
šēm ʿôlām · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God's reputation and character as revealed through His mighty acts of salvation and judgment. An "everlasting name" implies that God’s deeds are intended to be remembered across all generations as a testament to His faithfulness.
This verse recalls the foundational act of redemption: the Exodus. It highlights that God's powerful acts, like dividing the Red Sea, were not merely historical events but deliberate demonstrations of His glory, meant to secure His lasting name and inspire faith across generations.
~1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God dramatically liberates the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, leading them through the Red Sea on dry ground. This event demonstrates God's power and faithfulness, establishing His "everlasting name."
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquer the land of Canaan. This continues the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants.
c. 1050-1010 BC
United Monarchy under David
The establishment of a united Israelite kingdom under King David marks a period of significant national strength and religious development centered in Jerusalem.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling a large portion of its population. This serves as a judgment for the nation's unfaithfulness.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Southern Kingdom
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the people of the southern Kingdom of Judah. This event brings a period of profound national suffering and reflection.
This passage directly describes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea by God's power, which Isaiah is referencing as a foundational act of deliverance and a display of His glory.
Psalm 77:16This psalm echoes the imagery of God dividing the waters, specifically referencing the Red Sea and the pillars of cloud and fire, highlighting the awe-inspiring power displayed during the Exodus.
Joshua 3:15-16This passage recounts another miraculous water parting, the Jordan River, showing a parallel act of God's power for His people's entry into the promised land, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention.
Nehemiah 9:11This prayer recounts the Exodus, specifically mentioning God's power at the Red Sea and attributing it to His 'glorious name,' aligning with Isaiah's emphasis on God making an 'everlasting name' for Himself.
Isaiah 48:20-21This passage, also from Isaiah, directly references God leading His people through waters and making a path for them, further emphasizing God's consistent power and care in delivering His people through seemingly impossible circumstances.
barnesIsaiah 63:12: "That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?"
That led them by the right hand of Moses - (See the notes at Isaiah 41:10-13 ; Isaiah 45:1 ). Dividing the water before them - Exodus 14:21. To make himself an everlasting name - He designed to perform a work which, it would be seen, could not be performed by any false god or by any human arm, and to do it in such circumstances, and in such a manne…
gillIsaiah 63:12: "That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?"
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 throug…
The verse doesn't just highlight God's power in dividing the sea, but that He intentionally placed His "glorious arm" at Moses' right hand. This isn't just about God working through Moses, but about God intimately supporting and empowering His chosen leader in a way that ensured His own name would be forever remembered.
This passage is part of a prayer or reflection where the speaker is recalling God's past faithfulness, especially during the Exodus from Egypt. They are contrasting God's powerful actions then, like dividing the Red Sea, with their current difficult circumstances, seeking to understand why they are suffering now. The verses before and after describe God's past acts of salvation and the people's subsequent rebellion, leading into this reminder of His glorious intervention.
This passage is part of a prayer or reflection where the speaker is recalling God's past faithfulness, especially during the Exodus from Egypt. They are contrasting God's powerful actions then, like dividing the Red Sea, with their current difficult circumstances, seeking to understand why they are suffering now. The verses before and after describe God's past acts of salvation and the people's subsequent rebellion, leading into this reminder of His glorious intervention.
"who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name," — The verse doesn't just highlight God's power in dividing the sea, but that He intentionally placed His "glorious arm" at Moses' right hand. This isn't just about God working through Moses, but ab…
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Last reviewed October 2026