Exodus 15:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

NIV: The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away;

NASB: Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified; The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; All the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired.

CSB: Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan will panic;

NLT: The leaders of Edom are terrified; the nobles of Moab tremble. All who live in Canaan melt away;

KJV: Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

NKJV: Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take hold of them; All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.

God promised Abraham that his offspring would occupy the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18–21). Centuries later, those descendants left slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41) thanks to God's mighty power. When Egypt pursued them with an army (Exodus 14:5–9), God parted the waters of the Red Sea, rescuing Israel and eliminating the soldiers (Exodus 14:21–28). Now that Israel is entirely free and celebrating their salvation (Exodus 15:1), the nations of Canaan will have reasons to be afraid. As the Lord noted to Abraham (Genesis 15:16) and will explain to Israel (Deuteronomy 9:4), these nations are due for judgment on their evils. Among these are the Philistines (Exodus 15:14).

Edom is the nation descending from Esau (Genesis 36:1), brother of Israel's patriarch, Jacob (Genesis 25:24–26). They would immediately prove themselves enemies (Numbers 20:14–21; Deuteronomy 2:4) and remain so for many centuries (1 Samuel 14:47). The book of Obadiah condemns Edom's cooperation with Babylonian invaders who were chasing escaping Jews (Obadiah 1:10–14).

Moab and Ammon were sons Lot fathered after being tricked into drunkenly sleeping with his own daughters (Genesis 19:35–38). Their descendants, the Moabites and Ammonites, became consistent enemies of Israel (Judges 3:12–14; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Zephaniah 2:8).

Most of these nations fell under the umbrella of "Canaanites." The term can mean those descended from Canaan, son of Ham (Genesis 9:24–27) or the land with which they were associated (Genesis 10:19; 17:8). Israel's relationship with God would give them a fearsome reputation among the Canaanites (Joshua 2:10–11).

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.