Exodus 15:20-21

20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.
21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

Exodus 15:20-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 15

This chapter contains the song of Moses, and of the children of Israel, on the banks of the Red sea; in which they celebrate their passage through it, the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in it, and the glory of the divine perfections displayed therein, interspersed with prophetic hints of things future, Ex 15:1-19 which same song was sung by the women, with Miriam at the head of them, attended with timbrels and dances, Ex 15:20,21, an account is given of the march of the children of Israel from the Red sea to the wilderness of Shur, and of the bitter waters found at Marah, which occasioned a murmuring, and of their being made sweet by casting a tree into them, Ex 15:22-25 when they were told by the Lord, that if they would yield obedience to his commandments, they should be free from the diseases the Egyptians had been afflicted with, Ex 15:26, and the chapter is concluded with their coming to Elim, where they found twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees, and there encamped, Ex 15:27.

Cross References 7

  • 1. ver 21; Exodus 2:4; Numbers 12:1; Numbers 20:1; Numbers 26:59; 1 Chronicles 4:17; 1 Chronicles 6:3
  • 2. Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22; Nehemiah 6:14; Isaiah 8:3; Ezekiel 13:17
  • 3. S Genesis 31:27; 1 Samuel 18:6; Psalms 81:2; Isaiah 30:32
  • 4. S Genesis 4:21; Judges 11:34; Judges 21:21; 1 Samuel 18:6; 2Sa 6:5,14,16; Psalms 30:11; Psalms 149:3; Psalms 150:4; Song of Songs 6:13; Jeremiah 31:4,13
  • 5. 1 Samuel 18:7
  • 6. Amos 2:15; Haggai 2:22
  • 7. ver 1; S Exodus 14:27
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.