Exodus 14:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

NIV: But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

NASB: But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right and on their left.

CSB: But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.

NLT: But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.

KJV: But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

NKJV: But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

This summarizes the difference between Israel's crossing of the sea (Exodus 14:21–22) with the terrifying death of the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:23–28). God supernaturally split the waters like walls and dried the sea floor. Once Israel was across, and the Egyptians pursued, God released the water and wiped out every soldier who had advanced. It's likely this included Pharaoh, himself (Exodus 14:5–7).

Some of the Lord's miracles in the story of the exodus may have involved natural mechanisms. Each was entirely the work of God, but not all needed to be supernatural. The parting of the sea was most certainly an act of direct, literal, and miraculous intervention by the Lord. Though God involved wind in the process (Exodus 14:21), no wind could have both pushed back the water and still allowed Israel to cross.

In the following chapter, Israel will celebrate this astounding miracle (Exodus 15).

Exodus 14:15–31 records the monumental crossing of the Red Sea. Egypt's king has changed his mind about releasing Israel from slavery (Exodus 14:5–9). God has led the people to the shore of the "Sea of Reeds." This is not the same location as the modern-day Red Sea, but somewhere further north, probably the Gulf of Suez. The supernatural pillar leading Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) moves to block the oncoming soldiers. At God's command, Moses holds out his staff and the sea splits to open a path of dry land with a wall of water on each side. This allows Israel to cross during the night. Egypt's military attempts to follow. Moses again follows God's command to gesture with his staff, and the waters close over the Egyptian soldiers, eliminating every single one. Israel is now free both from slavery and any threat of being taken back by their former oppressors.

God leads Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) to make camp in front of the "Sea of Reeds." This is different from the modern-day Red Sea; it is more likely the Gulf of Suez or the wide Lake Timsah. As in the past (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20), Pharaoh changes his mind about Israelite freedom. He gathers soldiers to pursue Israel and catches them at the shore. God blocks the incoming attackers and makes a dry path through the sea for Israel's escape. When the Egyptian forces attempt to follow, God closes the walls of water over them, drowning the entire army.

Egypt's king freed Israel after the devastating death of the firstborn on Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). God led the people southeast, rather than along northern roads (Exodus 13:17–18). This brings them the shore of the Sea of Reeds. Pharaoh sends his military to recapture—or annihilate—the Israelites. Instead, the Egyptian army drowns when God allows the Hebrews to cross between parted waters, only to close them when the soldiers pursue. The next chapter is a song of celebration, thanking God for His incredible, miraculous salvation (Exodus 15).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 5/17/2025 11:53:44 AM