Isaiah 63:14

14 Like the cattle which go down into the valley, they went without falling, the spirit of the Lord guiding them: so you went before your people, to make yourself a great name.

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 He who made the arm of his glory go at the right hand of Moses, by whom the waters were parted before them, to make himself an eternal name;

13 He who made them go through the deep waters, like a horse in the waste land?

14 Like the cattle which go down into the valley, they went without falling, the spirit of the Lord guiding them: so you went before your people, to make yourself a great name.

15 Let your eyes be looking down from heaven, from your holy and beautiful house: where is your deep feeling, the working of your power? do not keep back the moving of your pity and your mercies:

16 For you are our father, though Abraham has no knowledge of us, and Israel gives no thought to us: you, O Lord, are our father; from the earliest days you have taken up our cause.