Exodus 15:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."

NIV: Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea."

NASB: And Miriam answered them, 'Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.'

CSB: Miriam sang to them: Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; he has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.

NLT: And Miriam sang this song: 'Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.'

KJV: And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

NKJV: And Miriam answered them: “Sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!”

The statement repeats the beginning of Moses' triumphant song (Exodus 15:1). This probably means that Miriam, Moses' sister (Exodus 15:20), led the women to sing the same words recorded in this passage (Exodus 15:1–18). Their praise is inspired by their recent miraculous rescue (Exodus 14:21–29). In that event, the Lord drowned an entire Egyptian army to permanently sever Egypt's power over Israel.

Miriam is older than Moses, having been a young girl when he was born (Exodus 2:1–4). In this passage, Moses is eighty years old, and Aaron is eighty-three (Exodus 7:7). This implies that Miriam was in upper eighties or even in her nineties. One's age is not a determiner of his or her ability to play a crucial role in God's plan (cp. Psalm 90:12; 1 Timothy 4:12). Despite mistakes (Numbers 12:2, 9, 15), Miriam is an important figure in the story of the exodus (Micah 6:4).

Exodus 15:19–21 restates Israel's recent miraculous rescue at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–29). Moses has offered a song of praise (Exodus 15:1–18). His sister, Miriam (Exodus 2:4–7), leads women in singing and dancing. She repeats the first words of Moses' song as the people celebrate their freedom.

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.

Accessed 6/15/2025 6:55:31 AM