Exodus 14:22

ESV And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

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

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

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

NLT So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

KJV And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

NKJV So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

What does Exodus 14:22 mean?

Israel is trapped on the seashore by an oncoming Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9). Following the Lord's instructions (Exodus 14:16), Moses has gestured over the sea (Exodus 14:21). Then God sent a wind which divided the water like walls and made the sea floor dry enough for travel. The exact nature of this wind is debated—but this verse clearly indicates a supernatural element. A strong enough natural wind could blow deep waters aside, but no one could survive walking through it. At least in this case, God's miracle is being accomplished with overtly un-natural means.

In a city, walls are a major source of protection (Deuteronomy 3:5; Joshua 6:5). God now provides walls of water to rescue Israel from harm. Drying the seabed gave them the ability to travel, rather than slogging through mud. Later, the Lord will disrupt this seabed (Exodus 14:24–25) so the pursuing Egyptians will be slowed and eventually drowned (Exodus 14:28).

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