Exodus 15:12

12 You reached out with your 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 You blew with your wind, the sea covered them, they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like you, ADONAI, among the mighty? Who is like you, sublime in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?

12 You reached out with your right hand: the earth swallowed them.

13 In your love, you led the people you redeemed; in your strength, you guided them to your holy abode.

14 The peoples have heard, and they tremble; anguish takes hold of those living in P'leshet;