Shemot 15:12

12 Thou didst stretch out Thy right hand, eretz swallowed them.

Shemot 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.

Shemot 15:12 In-Context

10 Thou didst blow with Thy ruach, the yam covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Mi chamochah ba’elim, Adonoi (Who is like unto Thee, Hashem, among the elim [g-ds])? Who is like Thee, glorious in kodesh (holiness), awesome in praiseworthy acts, doing wonders?

12 Thou didst stretch out Thy right hand, eretz swallowed them.

13 Thou in Thy chesed hast led forth the people which Thou hast redeemed (acquired back); Thou hast guided them in Thy oz unto Thy neveh kodesh (holy habitation, i.e., a neveh is the abode of a shepherd).

14 The nations shall hear, and be afraid; anguish shall take hold on the inhabitants of Peleshet (Philistia).