Exodus 15

King James Version

Full text for Exodus Chapter 15

1¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2The LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

3The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name.

4Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, [which] consumed them as stubble.

8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14The people shall hear, [and] be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15Then 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.

16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17Thou 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.

18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

19For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry [land] in the midst of the sea.

20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22¶ So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

27And they came to Elim, where [were] twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Moses and the children of Israel sing a triumphant song to the LORD, praising Him for His glorious victory over Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea, where the Egyptians were drowned. Following this, they journey into the wilderness, encountering bitter waters at Marah, which the LORD miraculously makes sweet. The chapter concludes with God's promise of health for obedience and Israel's arrival at Elim, a place of abundant water.

Medium Summary

Exodus 15 begins with the "Song of Moses and the Children of Israel," a hymn of praise celebrating the LORD's decisive victory at the Red Sea. They recount how God, described as a "man of war," utterly destroyed Pharaoh's chariots and host, drowning them in the depths. The song extols God's unparalleled power, holiness, and mercy in redeeming His people and guiding them towards His holy habitation, anticipating the fear of surrounding nations. Miriam and the women join in this jubilant celebration with timbrels and dances. Subsequently, Moses leads Israel into the wilderness of Shur, where they face a lack of water. Upon reaching Marah, the waters are found to be bitter, prompting the people to murmur against Moses. The LORD then instructs Moses to cast a tree into the waters, making them sweet, and establishes a covenant of health contingent upon Israel's obedience to His statutes. Finally, the Israelites encamp at Elim, a place providing twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees.

Long Summary

Exodus 15 opens with the "Song of Moses and the Children of Israel," a profound hymn of thanksgiving and praise to the LORD following their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. The song vividly describes God's glorious triumph, asserting that He cast Pharaoh's horse and rider, chariots, and chosen captains into the sea, where they sank like stones and lead. It declares the LORD to be their strength, salvation, and a "man of war," whose right hand dashed the enemy in pieces and whose breath parted the waters. The song contrasts the LORD's unparalleled power and holiness with other "gods," emphasizing His unique ability to perform wonders and overthrow those who rise against Him. It prophetically looks forward to the fear and dread that will seize the inhabitants of Palestina, Edom, Moab, and Canaan upon hearing of God's mighty arm, ensuring the safe passage of His purchased people. The song culminates in the declaration that the LORD shall reign for ever and ever, affirming His eternal sovereignty and His intention to bring Israel into His established sanctuary in the mountain of His inheritance. Miriam the prophetess, along with all the women, then takes up timbrels and dances, echoing the song's central refrain of God's glorious triumph. Following this celebration, Moses leads the Israelites into the wilderness of Shur, where they journey for three days without finding water. Their arrival at Marah brings disappointment as the waters are bitter, leading the people to murmur against Moses. Moses cries out to the LORD, who reveals a tree; upon casting it into the bitter waters, they are made sweet. There, the LORD establishes a statute and an ordinance, testing Israel and promising freedom from Egyptian diseases if they diligently obey His voice, do what is right, and keep His commandments. The chapter concludes with Israel's encampment at Elim, a place of refreshment, featuring twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees, providing respite after their trials.

Core Concepts

  • Divine DeliveranceThe LORD's miraculous intervention in drowning Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea, demonstrating His power to save His people from overwhelming danger and destruction.
  • Song of PraiseThe communal act of worship and thanksgiving expressed through song by Moses, the Israelites, and Miriam, celebrating God's glorious triumph and sovereignty over their enemies.
  • God as WarriorThe depiction of the LORD as a "man of war" whose mighty hand and breath destroy enemies, highlighting His active role in defending and vindicating His people.
  • Promise of Guidance and InheritanceThe LORD's commitment to lead His redeemed people to His "holy habitation" and plant them in the "mountain of thine inheritance," signifying the journey to the Promised Land and the establishment of His sanctuary.
  • Testing and ObedienceThe episode at Marah where God tests Israel's faith and establishes a statute, linking their health and well-being to their diligent hearkening to His voice and keeping His commandments.
  • God as HealerThe declaration "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Jehovah Rapha), revealed after the healing of the bitter waters, signifying God's provision for physical and spiritual well-being.
  • Provision in the WildernessThe LORD's provision of sweet water at Marah and abundant water and shade at Elim, illustrating His care for His people's physical needs during their wilderness journey.