Exodus 15:12

12 You stretched out 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 breath; the sea covered them; they dropped like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like you among the gods, Yahweh? Who is like you--glorious in holiness, awesome [in] praiseworthy actions, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.

13 In your loyal love you led [the] people whom you redeemed; in your strength you guided [them] to the abode of your holiness.

14 Peoples heard; they trembled; anguish seized the inhabitants of Philistia.