Exodus 15:12

12 You stretched out your right hand and the Earth swallowed them up.

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 You blew with all your might and the sea covered them. They sank like a lead weight in the majestic waters.
11 Who compares with you among gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, In awesome praises, wonder-working God?
12 You stretched out your right hand and the Earth swallowed them up.
13 But the people you redeemed, you led in merciful love; You guided them under your protection to your holy pasture.
14 When people heard, they were scared; Philistines writhed and trembled;
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.