Exodus 14:16

ESV Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

NIV Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

NASB As for you, lift up your staff and reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.

CSB As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

NLT Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

KJV But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

NKJV But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

What does Exodus 14:16 mean?

Israel has been freed from slavery (Exodus 12:40–41) and is camped by the seashore (Exodus 14:1–2). Their former captors have changed their minds and sent an army (Exodus 14:5–8) which now has the Hebrews pinned between chariots and waves (Exodus 14:9). The people panic (Exodus 14:11–12). But they are reminded that God has a plan (Exodus 14:13–15). Moses is to gesture with his staff and hand over the sea. When he does so, the waters will split apart so that Israel can walk across on dry land.

This staff is the same which God commanded Moses to bring back to Egypt (Exodus 4:17); this is the one Moses was to use to demonstrate the Lord's power (Exodus 4:1–9). The staff was involved in the plagues which devastated Egypt (Exodus 9:23; 10:13). The dramatic gesture ensures that everyone knows that God is working through Moses.

The Lord knows Egypt's army will attempt to follow Israel into the water (Exodus 14:17–18). This will result in their complete destruction (Exodus 14:28)

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