Exodus 14:21-25

21 Then Moses 1stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by 2a strong east wind all night and 3made the sea dry land, and the waters were 4divided.
22 And 5the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being 6a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
25 clogging[a] their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the 7LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."

Exodus 14:21-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 14

This chapter begins with directions of God to Moses, to be given to the children of Israel about the course they were to steer in their journey, with the reason thereof, Ex 14:1-4, which they observing, a report was brought to Pharaoh that they were fled, and this determined him and his servants to get ready and pursue after them, as they did with a great army, Ex 14:5-9, which when the Israelites saw, it put them in great fear, and set them to murmuring and complaining against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt, Ex 14:10,11,12, who desired them to be still and quiet, and they should see the salvation of the Lord, Ex 14:13,14, and he is bid to order the people to go on in their journey, and to take his rod and stretch it over the sea and divide it, that Israel might pass through it on dry ground, and the Egyptians follow them, whereby God would be honoured and glorified, Ex 14:15-18, upon which the Angel of the Lord in a pillar of cloud removed from before there, and went behind them for their protection, Ex 14:19,20, and Moses stretching out his hand over the sea, and a strong east wind blowing upon it, the waters divided and the Israelites went into it, and the Egyptians followed them, but their host being troubled by the Lord, and their chariot wheels taken off, they found themselves in great danger, and were thrown into a panic, Ex 14:20-25 and upon Moses's stretching out his hand again over the sea, the waters returned, and Pharaoh and his host were drowned, but the Israelites passed through safely, as on dry land, Ex 14:26-29, which great work of the Lord being observed by them, influenced their fear of him, their faith in him and his servant Moses, Ex 14:30,31.

Cross References 7

  • 1. [See ver. 16 above]
  • 2. Exodus 15:10
  • 3. Psalms 66:6
  • 4. Exodus 15:8; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 74:13; Psalms 78:13; Psalms 106:9; Psalms 114:3; Isaiah 51:10; Isaiah 63:12; [Joshua 3:16; Joshua 4:23; Isaiah 10:26; Isaiah 11:15, 16]
  • 5. ver. 29; Exodus 15:19; Numbers 33:8; Psalms 66:6; Isaiah 63:13; 1 Corinthians 10:1; Hebrews 11:29; [Psalms 77:19]
  • 6. Psalms 78:13; [Habakkuk 3:10]
  • 7. ver. 14

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or binding (compare Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac); Hebrew removing
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.