Exodus 15:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.

NIV: "You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies.

NASB: You reached out with Your right hand, The earth swallowed them.

CSB: You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them.

NLT: You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.

KJV: Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

NKJV: You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them.

In ancient writing, the "right hand" was a symbol of someone's strength and power. This statement is part of a celebration (Exodus 15:1) over Israel's rescue from Egypt. God parted the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the Hebrews to cross safely. He then collapsed the same waters over the attacking Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21–29). God had commanded Moses to gesture with his hand, both to part and to close the water (Exodus 14:16, 26). Yet here Moses credits the hand of God with this miracle. Moses is clear that he has no power; it is all from the Lord.

"The earth" might be a poetic reference to the planet: nature itself. The waters of the sea wiped out the Egyptian army. However, geologists note that the Red Sea—including its northwestern extension, the Gulf of Suez—is the site of a tectonic rift. This is a border between two plates of earth's crust which slowly move relative to each other. This movement causes occasional earthquakes. Some suggest God used an earthquake, or series of earthquakes, to part and reform the waters of the sea. However, other than this verse, nothing in Scripture hints at any tremors associated with the miracle.

Exodus 15:1–18 is Moses' song of celebration. Israel has just been saved from an attacking Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9). God miraculously parted the waters of the sea so His people could cross safely; the pursuing soldiers were all drowned (Exodus 14:21–29). In this song, Moses recounts this amazing series of events. He also looks ahead to Israel's conquest of the Promised Land (Genesis 13:12, 14–16).

Israel celebrates the supernatural event which eliminated the Egyptian army. God's power parted the waters of the Red Sea for the Hebrews to cross, then collapsed the same waters over the pursuing soldiers (Exodus 14:21–29). Moses, his sister Miriam, and the other Israelites praise the Lord for His works. They anticipate that this event will strike fear into the hearts of the wicked Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 9:4). Yet, when the only water they find is undrinkable, the Israelites complain and criticize Moses. God provides a means to purify the water. He then provides a clear message about obedience and leads the people to a well-watered oasis.

When the nation of Israel was freed (Exodus 12:40–41), God led them to a specific place (Exodus 13:17–18). The Egyptians sent an army in pursuit (Exodus 14:5–9). God completed Israel's salvation by leading them across the Red Sea and wiping out the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21–28). Here, the people celebrate their freedom with singing and dancing. However, they will soon complain when water runs short. In the following chapter, they will complain about food and be given the gift of "manna" (Exodus 16).

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.