Exo 15:14-18 | NETfull | STEP | The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia.

Exodus 15:14-18

14 The nations will hear ^{▼▼ This verb is a prophetic perfect, assuming that the text means what it said and this song was sung at the Sea. So all these countries were yet to hear of the victory.} and tremble;
anguish ^{▼▼ The word properly refers to “pangs” of childbirth. When the nations hear, they will be terrified.} will seize ^{▼▼ The verb is again a prophetic perfect.} the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified, ^{▼▼ This is a prophetic perfect.}
trembling will seize ^{▼▼ This verb is imperfect tense.} the leaders of Moab,
and the inhabitants of Canaan will shake.
16 Fear and dread ^{▼▼ The two words can form a nominal hendiadys, “a dreadful fear,” though most English versions retain the two separate terms.} will fall ^{▼▼ The form is an imperfect.} on them;
by the greatness ^{▼▼ The adjective is in construct form and governs the noun “arm” (“arm” being the anthropomorphic expression for what God did). See GKC 428 #132.c.} of your arm they will be as still as stone ^{▼▼ For a study of the words for fear, see N. Waldman, “A Comparative Note on Exodus 15:14–16, ” JQR 66 (1976): 189-92.}
until ^{▼▼ Clauses beginning with עַד (’ad) express a limit that is not absolute, but only relative, beyond which the action continues (GKC 446-47 #138.g).} your people pass by, O Lord,
until the people whom you have bought ^{▼▼ The verb קָנָה (qanah) here is the verb “acquire, purchase,” and probably not the homonym “to create, make” (see Gen 4:1; Deut 32:6; and Prov 8:22).} pass by.
17 You will bring them in ^{▼▼ The verb is imperfect.} and plant them in the mountain ^{▼▼ The “mountain” and the “place” would be wherever Yahweh met with his people. It here refers to Canaan, the land promised to the patriarchs.} of your inheritance,
in the place you made ^{▼▼ The verb is perfect tense, referring to Yahweh’s previous choice of the holy place.} for your residence, O Lord,
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.
18 The Lord will reign forever and ever!