Exodus 15:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

NIV: You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.

NASB: You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, The place, Lord, which You have made as Your dwelling, The sanctuary, Lord, which Your hands have established.

CSB: You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your possession; Lord, you have prepared the place for your dwelling; Lord, your hands have established the sanctuary.

NLT: You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain — the place, O Lord, reserved for your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.

KJV: Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

NKJV: You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance, In the place, O Lord, which You have made For Your own dwelling, The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

The Lord promised Abraham that his offspring would occupy a Promised Land (Genesis 17:8). Abraham's descendants are the nation of Israel, which had been enslaved by Egypt (Exodus 1:11–14). God freed the people through powerful miracles (Exodus 3:19–20; 12:40–41). Then He erased the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9) which pursued them (Exodus 14:21–28). This supernatural work was all part of the Lord fulfilling His promise.

The "mountain" spoken of here is a poetic reference to the entire land of Canaan. God has a specific place in mind for the people, and He intends to establish them there. In fact, God Himself would in some way live there. Later Scriptures will speak of the tabernacle and temple as places where God "dwelled" to communicate with Israel (Exodus 25:8; 29:45–46; 1 Kings 6:11–13). The city of Jerusalem would be thought of as the Lord's earthly home (Psalm 135:21). The Promised Land was a safe place—a "sanctuary"—formed by God and His power.

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.