Exodus 14:26

ESV Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."

NIV Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."

NASB Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Reach out with your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.'

CSB Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the water may come back on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen."

NLT When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, 'Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.'

KJV And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

NKJV Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.”

What does Exodus 14:26 mean?

When He first commanded Moses about parting of the sea (Exodus 14:17), it was clear that the Lord would use the miracle to utterly defeat the Egyptian forces (Exodus 14:13). Israel has crossed on dry land between walls of water (Exodus 14:21–22). The attacking soldiers (Exodus 14:8–9) have followed (Exodus 14:23), only to fall into panic as their chariots break down (Exodus 14:24–25).

Now God instructs Moses to gesture again, which will cause the waters to return to their normal place. This means an entire sea rushing back into place—while the Egyptian army is stuck on the sea floor. Though chariots were advanced military technology of the time, they would prove worthless. When the waters close, Egypt will be separated from Israel by a massive body of water. They will have lost much of their military power. And they most likely have also lost their king (Exodus 14:5–7). It will become impossible for Egypt to even consider pursuing Israel again (Exodus 14:27–28).

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