Exodus 15:15
ESV
Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
NIV
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away;
NASB
Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified; The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; All the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired.
CSB
Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan will panic;
NLT
The leaders of Edom are terrified; the nobles of Moab tremble. All who live in Canaan melt away;
KJV
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
NKJV
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
What does Exodus 15:15 mean?
God promised Abraham that his offspring would occupy the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18–21). Centuries later, those descendants left slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41) thanks to God's mighty power. When Egypt pursued them with an army (Exodus 14:5–9), God parted the waters of the Red Sea, rescuing Israel and eliminating the soldiers (Exodus 14:21–28). Now that Israel is entirely free and celebrating their salvation (Exodus 15:1), the nations of Canaan will have reasons to be afraid. As the Lord noted to Abraham (Genesis 15:16) and will explain to Israel (Deuteronomy 9:4), these nations are due for judgment on their evils. Among these are the Philistines (Exodus 15:14).Edom is the nation descending from Esau (Genesis 36:1), brother of Israel's patriarch, Jacob (Genesis 25:24–26). They would immediately prove themselves enemies (Numbers 20:14–21; Deuteronomy 2:4) and remain so for many centuries (1 Samuel 14:47). The book of Obadiah condemns Edom's cooperation with Babylonian invaders who were chasing escaping Jews (Obadiah 1:10–14).
Moab and Ammon were sons Lot fathered after being tricked into drunkenly sleeping with his own daughters (Genesis 19:35–38). Their descendants, the Moabites and Ammonites, became consistent enemies of Israel (Judges 3:12–14; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Zephaniah 2:8).
Most of these nations fell under the umbrella of "Canaanites." The term can mean those descended from Canaan, son of Ham (Genesis 9:24–27) or the land with which they were associated (Genesis 10:19; 17:8). Israel's relationship with God would give them a fearsome reputation among the Canaanites (Joshua 2:10–11).
