"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
— Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Isaiah 43:2 is the "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Isaiah 43, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about protection, Bible verses about fear, and Isaiah 41:10.
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The verse
The King James reads: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
"Pass through" is abar (H5674), to cross over. "Waters" is mayim (H4325) and "rivers" is nahar (H5104). "Sweep over" (KJV "overflow") is shataph (H7857), to flood or wash away. "Fire" is esh (H784), "burned" is kavah (H3554), to scorch, and "flame" is lehabah (H3852).
Where it sits in Isaiah 43
The verse comes right after one of the warmest openings in Isaiah: "But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine'" (Isaiah 43:1).
The reason follows in verses 3-4: "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you." Verse 5 repeats the opening charge: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."
What the verse is saying
The verse says "when," not "if." Waters, rivers, and fire are pictures of real danger, and the promise assumes God's people will pass through them. What it promises is presence: "I will be with you."
The waters will not sweep over you, and the fire will not burn you up. Israel remembered crossing the sea and the Jordan, and Daniel's friends later walked out of a furnace. The promise is not a life without trouble; it is that trouble does not get the last word. See Psalm 46:1 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
Questions people ask
What does Isaiah 43:2 say?
In the NIV it says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Who is Isaiah 43:2 written to?
It is first written to Israel ("Jacob" and "Israel" in verse 1), God's people facing exile. Christians also read it as a promise of God's presence in hard seasons.
What do the waters and fire mean in Isaiah 43:2?
They are pictures of overwhelming trouble. The waters recall Israel crossing the sea and the Jordan; fire pictures danger that should destroy. God promises to be with his people through both.
What comes before Isaiah 43:2?
Isaiah 43:1: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
What other verses promise God's presence in trouble?
Isaiah 41:10 (do not fear, for I am with you), Psalm 23:4 (even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil), and Psalm 46:1 (God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble) are close companions.
