Exodus 15:12

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

Exodus 15:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 15:12

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand
That is, exerted his power, and gave a display and proof of it; of which the right hand is an emblem: the earth swallowed them;
meaning Pharaoh and his host; for though they were drowned in the sea, that being a part of the terraqueous globe, they may be said to be swallowed in the earth; as Jonah, when in the depth of the sea, the earth and its bars are said to be about him, ( Jonah 2:6 ) and besides, many of Pharaoh's army might be swallowed up in the mud at the bottom of the sea: nor is it improbable that those that were cast upon the banks and sand, whom the Israelites stripped, might be afterwards swallowed up therein.

Exodus 15:12 In-Context

10 Thou didst blow with thy breath, the sea covered them; They sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like unto thee, Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like unto thee, glorifying thyself in holiness, Fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

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

13 Thou by thy mercy hast led forth the people that thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them by thy strength unto the abode of thy holiness.

14 The peoples heard it, they were afraid: A thrill seized the inhabitants of Philistia.