Focused Passage

Exodus 15:1-21

The Song of the Sea and the Testing at Marah

Israel praises the LORD for triumphing over Pharaoh at the sea, Miriam leads the women in responsive worship, the people enter the wilderness and complain over bitter water, and the LORD provides water while revealing Himself as healer and testing Israel’s obedience.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.

2The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

3The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.

4Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

5The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone.

6Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

7You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble.

8At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

9The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’

10But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

12You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them up.

13With loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; with Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.

14The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.

15Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,

16and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

17You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance—the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established.

18The LORD will reign forever and ever!”

19For when Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

21And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

Thenאָ֣זH227AdverbMosesמֹשֶׁה֩H4872Noun - proper - masculine singularand the Israelitesוּבְנֵ֨יH1121Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct. . .יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markersangיָשִֽׁיר־H7891Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularthisהַזֹּאת֙H2063Article | Pronoun - feminine singularsongהַשִּׁירָ֤הH7892Article | Noun - feminine singularto the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הH3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular-וַיֹּאמְר֖וּH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-לֵאמֹ֑רH559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructI will singאָשִׁ֤ירָהH7891Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singularto the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙H3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularforכִּֽי־H3588ConjunctionHe is highly exaltedגָאֹ֣הH1342Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute. . .גָּאָ֔הH1342Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularThe horseס֥וּסH5483Noun - masculine singularand riderוְרֹכְב֖וֹH7392Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularHe has thrownרָמָ֥הH7411Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularinto the seaבַיָּֽם׃H3220Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 2

Original words

The LORDיָ֔הּH3050Noun - proper - masculine singularis my strengthעָזִּ֤יH5797Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularand my songוְזִמְרָת֙H2176Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular constructand He has becomeוַֽיְהִי־H1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularmyלִ֖יPreposition | first person common singularsalvationלִֽישׁוּעָ֑הH3444Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singularHe [is]זֶ֤הH2088Pronoun - masculine singularmy Godאֵלִי֙H410Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularand I will praise Himוְאַנְוֵ֔הוּH5115Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singularmy father’sאָבִ֖יH1Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularGodאֱלֹהֵ֥יH430Noun - masculine plural constructand I will exalt Himוַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃H7311Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Verse 3

Original words

The LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularis a warriorאִ֣ישׁH376Noun - masculine singular construct. . .מִלְחָמָ֑הH4421Noun - feminine singularthe LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularis His nameשְׁמֽוֹ׃H8034Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 4

Original words

Pharaoh’sפַּרְעֹ֛הH6547Noun - proper - masculine singularchariotsמַרְכְּבֹ֥תH4818Noun - feminine plural constructand armyוְחֵיל֖וֹH2428Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularHe has castיָרָ֣הH3384Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularinto the seaבַיָּ֑םH3220Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularthe finestוּמִבְחַ֥רH4005Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof his officersשָֽׁלִשָׁ֖יוH7991Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularare drownedטֻבְּע֥וּH2883Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common pluralin the Redסֽוּף׃H5488Noun - masculine singularSeaבְיַם־H3220Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

BSB notes

  • Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 22
Verse 5

Original words

The depthsתְּהֹמֹ֖תH8415Noun - common pluralhave covered themיְכַסְיֻ֑מוּH3680Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine pluralthey sankיָרְד֥וּH3381Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural[there]בִמְצוֹלֹ֖תH4688Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plurallikeכְּמוֹ־H3644Prepositiona stoneאָֽבֶן׃H68Noun - feminine singular
Verse 6

Original words

Your right handיְמִֽינְךָ֣H3225Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularO LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularis majesticנֶאְדָּרִ֖יH142Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular constructin powerבַּכֹּ֑חַH3581Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularYour right handיְמִֽינְךָ֥H3225Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularO LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularhas shatteredתִּרְעַ֥ץH7492Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularthe enemyאוֹיֵֽב׃H341Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

You overthrewתַּהֲרֹ֣סH2040Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularYour adversariesקָמֶ֑יךָH6965Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singularby Your greatוּבְרֹ֥בH7230Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructmajestyגְּאוֹנְךָ֖H1347Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularYou unleashedתְּשַׁלַּח֙H7971Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singularYour burning wrathחֲרֹ֣נְךָ֔H2740Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularit consumed themיֹאכְלֵ֖מוֹH398Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plurallike stubbleכַּקַּֽשׁ׃H7179Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 8

Original words

At the blastוּבְר֤וּחַH7307Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - common singular constructof Your nostrilsאַפֶּ֙יךָ֙H639Noun - masculine dual construct | second person masculine singularthe watersמַ֔יִםH4325Noun - masculine pluralpiled upנֶ֣עֶרְמוּH6192Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plurallikeכְמוֹ־H3644Prepositiona wallנֵ֖דH5067Noun - masculine singularthe currentsנֹזְלִ֑יםH5140Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralstood firmנִצְּב֥וּH5324Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common pluralthe depthsתְהֹמֹ֖תH8415Noun - common pluralcongealedקָֽפְא֥וּH7087Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralin the heartבְּלֶב־H3820Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof the seaיָֽם׃H3220Noun - masculine singular
Verse 9

Original words

The enemyאוֹיֵ֛בH341Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singulardeclaredאָמַ֥רH559Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularI will pursueאֶרְדֹּ֥ףH7291Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularI will overtakeאַשִּׂ֖יגH5381Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singularI will divideאֲחַלֵּ֣קH2505Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularthe spoilsשָׁלָ֑לH7998Noun - masculine singularI will gorge myself on themתִּמְלָאֵ֣מוֹH4390Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine pluralנַפְשִׁ֔ינַפְשִׁ֔יH5315Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularI will drawאָרִ֣יקH7324Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singularmy swordחַרְבִּ֔יH2719Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularmy handיָדִֽי׃H3027Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularwill destroy themתּוֹרִישֵׁ֖מוֹH3423Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural
Verse 10

Original words

But You blewנָשַׁ֥פְתָּH5398Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularwith Your breathבְרוּחֲךָ֖H7307Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singularand the seaיָ֑םH3220Noun - masculine singularcovered themכִּסָּ֣מוֹH3680Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralThey sankצָֽלֲלוּ֙H6749Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plurallike leadכַּֽעוֹפֶ֔רֶתH5777Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singularin the mightyאַדִּירִֽים׃H117Adjective - masculine pluralwatersבְּמַ֖יִםH4325Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Verse 11

Original words

Whoמִֽי־H4310Interrogativeamong the godsבָּֽאֵלִם֙H410Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine pluralis like Youכָמֹ֤כָהH3644Preposition | second person masculine singularO LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularWhoמִ֥יH4310Interrogativeis like Youכָּמֹ֖כָהH3644Preposition | second person masculine singularmajesticנֶאְדָּ֣רH142Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularin holinessבַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁH6944Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularreveredנוֹרָ֥אH3372Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularwith praisesתְהִלֹּ֖תH8416Noun - feminine pluralperformingעֹ֥שֵׂהH6213Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular constructwondersפֶֽלֶא׃H6382Noun - masculine singular
Verse 12

Original words

You stretched outנָטִ֙יתָ֙H5186Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularYour right handיְמִ֣ינְךָ֔H3225Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularand the earthאָֽרֶץ׃H776Noun - feminine singularswallowed them upתִּבְלָעֵ֖מוֹH1104Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural
Verse 13

Original words

With loving devotionבְחַסְדְּךָ֖H2617Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularYou will leadנָחִ֥יתָH5148Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularthe peopleעַם־H5971Noun - masculine singular. . .ז֣וּH2098Pronoun - relativeYou have redeemedגָּאָ֑לְתָּH1350Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularwith Your strengthבְעָזְּךָ֖H5797Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularYou will guide themנֵהַ֥לְתָּH5095Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionYour holyקָדְשֶֽׁךָ׃H6944Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singulardwellingנְוֵ֥הH5116Noun - masculine singular construct

BSB notes

  • Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.
Verse 14

Original words

The nationsעַמִּ֖יםH5971Noun - masculine pluralwill hearשָֽׁמְע֥וּH8085Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural[and] trembleיִרְגָּז֑וּןH7264Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nunanguishחִ֣ילH2427Noun - masculine singularwill gripאָחַ֔זH270Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularthe dwellersיֹשְׁבֵ֖יH3427Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructof Philistiaפְּלָֽשֶׁת׃H6429Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 15

Original words

Thenאָ֤זH227Adverbthe chiefsאַלּוּפֵ֣יH441Noun - masculine plural constructof Edomאֱד֔וֹםH123Noun - proper - masculine singularwill be dismayedנִבְהֲלוּ֙H926Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common pluraltremblingרָ֑עַדH7461Noun - masculine singularwill seizeיֹֽאחֲזֵ֖מוֹH270Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralthe leadersאֵילֵ֣יH352Noun - masculine plural constructof Moabמוֹאָ֔בH4124Noun - proper - feminine singularthose who dwellיֹשְׁבֵ֥יH3427Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructin Canaanכְנָֽעַן׃H3667Noun - proper - masculine singularwill melt awayנָמֹ֕גוּH4127Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural. . .כֹּ֖לH3605Noun - masculine singular construct
Verse 16

Original words

and terrorאֵימָ֙תָה֙H367Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singularand dreadוָפַ֔חַדH6343Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularwill fallתִּפֹּ֨לH5307Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularon themעֲלֵיהֶ֤םH5921Preposition | third person masculine pluralBy the powerבִּגְדֹ֥לH1419Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Your armזְרוֹעֲךָ֖H2220Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularthey will be as stillיִדְּמ֣וּH1826Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralas a stoneכָּאָ֑בֶןH68Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singularuntilעַד־H5704PrepositionYour peopleעַמְּךָ֙H5971Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singularpass byיַעֲבֹ֤רH5674Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularO LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularuntilעַֽד־H5704Prepositionthe peopleעַם־H5971Noun - masculine singular-ז֥וּH2098Pronoun - relativeYou have boughtקָנִֽיתָ׃H7069Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularpass byיַעֲבֹ֖רH5674Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 17

Original words

You will bring them inתְּבִאֵ֗מוֹH935Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine pluraland plant themוְתִטָּעֵ֙מוֹ֙H5193Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralon the mountainבְּהַ֣רH2022Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Your inheritanceנַחֲלָֽתְךָ֔H5159Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularthe placeמָכ֧וֹןH4349Noun - masculine singularO LORDיְהוָ֑הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularYou have preparedפָּעַ֖לְתָּH6466Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularfor Your dwellingלְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛H3427Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singularthe sanctuaryמִקְּדָ֕שׁH4720Noun - masculine singularO Lordאֲדֹנָ֖יH136Noun - proper - masculine singularYour handsיָדֶֽיךָ׃H3027Noun - feminine dual construct | second person masculine singularhave establishedכּוֹנְנ֥וּH3559Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Verse 18

Original words

The LORDיְהוָ֥ה׀H3068Noun - proper - masculine singularwill reignיִמְלֹ֖ךְH4427Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularforeverלְעֹלָ֥םH5769Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singularand everוָעֶֽד׃H5703Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 19

Original words

For whenכִּ֣יH3588ConjunctionPharaoh’sפַּרְעֹ֜הH6547Noun - proper - masculine singularhorsesס֨וּסH5483Noun - masculine singular constructchariotsבְּרִכְבּ֤וֹH7393Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularand horsemenוּבְפָרָשָׁיו֙H6571Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularwentבָא֩H935Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularinto the seaבַּיָּ֔םH3220Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularthe LORDיְהוָ֛הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularbrought the watersמֵ֣יH4325Noun - masculine plural constructof the seaהַיָּ֑םH3220Article | Noun - masculine singularbackוַיָּ֧שֶׁבH7725Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularover themעֲלֵהֶ֖םH5921Preposition | third person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerBut the Israelitesוּבְנֵ֧יH1121Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct. . .יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singularwalkedהָלְכ֥וּH1980Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralthroughבְּת֥וֹךְH8432Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructthe seaהַיָּֽם׃פH3220Article | Noun - masculine singularon dry groundבַיַּבָּשָׁ֖הH3004Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 20

Original words

Then Miriamמִרְיָ֨םH4813Noun - proper - feminine singularthe prophetessהַנְּבִיאָ֜הH5031Article | Noun - feminine singularAaron’sאַהֲרֹ֛ןH175Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markersisterאֲח֧וֹתH269Noun - feminine singular constructtookוַתִּקַּח֩H3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singulara tambourineהַתֹּ֖ףH8596Article | Noun - masculine singularin her handבְּיָדָ֑הּH3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singularand allכָֽל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe womenהַנָּשִׁים֙H802Article | Noun - feminine plural. . .אַחֲרֶ֔יהָH310Preposition | third person feminine singularfollowed herוַתֵּצֶ֤אןָH3318Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine pluralwith tambourinesבְּתֻפִּ֖יםH8596Preposition-b | Noun - masculine pluraland dancingוּבִמְחֹלֹֽת׃H4246Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Verse 21

Original words

And Miriamמִרְיָ֑םH4813Noun - proper - feminine singularsang backוַתַּ֥עַןH6030Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularto themלָהֶ֖םPreposition | third person masculine pluralSingשִׁ֤ירוּH7891Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralto the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙H3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularforכִּֽי־H3588ConjunctionHe is highly exaltedגָאֹ֣הH1342Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute. . .גָּאָ֔הH1342Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularthe horseס֥וּסH5483Noun - masculine singularand riderוְרֹכְב֖וֹH7392Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularHe has thrownרָמָ֥הH7411Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularinto the seaבַיָּֽם׃סH3220Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular

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