Exodus 14:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

NIV: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,

NASB: Then Moses reached out with his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

CSB: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided,

NLT: Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.

KJV: And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

NKJV: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

God instructed Moses to make this gesture over the sea (Exodus 14:16). This command came as Israel was trapped on the shoreline with an Egyptian army closing in (Exodus 14:1–2, 8–9). The Lord blocks Egyptian soldiers from making an attack (Exodus 14:19–20) to give Israel time to cross the sea. As promised, God sends a wind which drives the water back like walls (Exodus 14:22) and makes the seabed dry enough for travel. So begins the literal crossing of the Red Sea, which will permanently free Israel from Egyptian oppression (Exodus 14:13).

The book of Genesis describes God parting waters (Genesis 1:9). These events are recorded to demonstrate His ultimate power over creation. Less-spectacular versions of this miracle will occur for Joshua (Joshua 3:16–17) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:8). Scripture also makes several references to the Lord's control over winds (Numbers 11:31; Isaiah 59:19), and specifically the "east wind" (Exodus 10:13; Psalm 48:7; Jonah 4:8).

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.