Exodus 15:9

9 The enemy said, "I will pursue them and catch them; I will divide their wealth and take all I want; I will draw my sword and take all they have.'

Exodus 15:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 15:9

The enemy said
That is, Pharaoh, who repented that he had let Israel go; an emblem of Satan, who when the people of God are taken out of his hands is uneasy at it, and seeks to recover them again into his possession; or of antichrist breathing out threatening and slaughter to the saints, the reformers departed from him, and delivered out of his captivity: I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
which words being expressed without the copulative "and", show the passion he was in, the hastiness of his expressions, and the eagerness of his mind; and being delivered in such an absolute manner, "I will", "I will" denote not only the fixed resolution and determination he had made to pursue, but the assurance he had of carrying his point; he thought as surely, as he pursued he should overtake, and overtaking should conquer, and get into his hands all the riches the people of Israel went out of Egypt with: my lust shall be satified upon them;
both his lust of covetousness to possess himself of the wealth the people had of their own, and which they had spoiled the Egyptians of, by borrowing of them; and also his lust of revenge and cruelty upon them; as appears from what follows: I will draw my sword;
out of its scabbard, and sheathe it in them: my hand shall destroy them;
which he made no doubt of, they being an unarmed people; and therefore, though numerous, were unable to engage with him, and defend themselves; see ( Revelation 6:14 ) ( 7:14 ) ( Revelation 19:19 Revelation 19:20 Revelation 19:21 ) and with it compare ( Isaiah 10:11 Isaiah 10:14 ) .

Exodus 15:9 In-Context

7 In majestic triumph you overthrow your foes; your anger blazes out and burns them up like straw.
8 You blew on the sea and the water piled up high; it stood up straight like a wall; the deepest part of the sea became solid.
9 The enemy said, "I will pursue them and catch them; I will divide their wealth and take all I want; I will draw my sword and take all they have.'
10 But one breath from you, Lord, and the Egyptians were drowned; they sank like lead in the terrible water.
11 "Lord, who among the gods is like you? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work miracles and mighty acts like yours?
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.