Exo 15:4-13 | NETfull | STEP | The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:4-13

4 The chariots of Pharaoh ^{▼▼ Gesenius notes that the sign of the accusative, often omitted in poetry, is not found in this entire song (GKC 363 #117.b).} and his army he has thrown into the sea,
and his chosen ^{▼▼ The word is a substantive, “choice, selection”; it is here used in the construct state to convey an attribute before a partitive genitive – “the choice of his officers” means his “choice officers” (see GKC 417 #128.r).} officers were drowned ^{▼▼ The form is a Qal passive rather than a Pual, for there is not Piel form or meaning.} in the Red Sea.
5 The depths have covered them, ^{▼▼ The verb form is יְכַסְיֻמוּ (y^ekhasyumu) is the Piel preterite. Normally a vav (ו) consecutive is used with the preterite, but in some ancient poems the form without the vav appears, as is the case frequently in this poem. That such an archaic form is used should come as no surprise, because the word also uses the yod (י) of the root (GKC 214 #75.dd), and the archaic suffix form (GKC 258 #91.l). These all indicate the antiquity of the poem.}
they went down to the bottom ^{▼▼ The parasynonyms here are תְּהֹמֹת (t^ehomot, “deep, ocean depths, deep waters”) and מְצוֹלֹת (m^etsolot, “the depths”); S. R. Driver says properly the “gurgling places” (Exodus, 134).} like a stone.
6 Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic ^{▼▼ The form נֶאְדָּרִי (ne’dari) may be an archaic infinitive with the old ending i, used in place of the verb and meaning “awesome.” Gesenius says that the vowel ending may be an old case ending, especially when a preposition is inserted between the word and its genitive (GKC 253 #90.l), but he suggests a reconstruction of the form.} in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.
7 In the abundance of your majesty ^{▼▼ This expression is cognate with words in v. 1. Here that same greatness or majesty is extolled as in abundance.} you have overthrown ^{▼▼ Here, and throughout the song, these verbs are the prefixed conjugation that may look like the imperfect but are actually historic preterites. This verb is to “overthrow” or “throw down” – like a wall, leaving it in shattered pieces.}
those who rise up against you. ^{▼▼ The form קָמֶיךָ (qamekha) is the active participle with a pronominal suffix. The participle is accusative, the object of the verb, but the suffix is the genitive of nearer definition (see GKC 358 #116.i).}
You sent forth ^{▼▼ The verb is the Piel of שָׁלַח (shalakh), the same verb used throughout for the demand on Pharaoh to release Israel. Here, in some irony, God released his wrath on them.} your wrath; ^{▼▼ The word wrath is a metonymy of cause; the effect – the judgment – is what is meant.}
it consumed them ^{▼▼ The verb is the prefixed conjugation, the preterite, without the consecutive vav (ו).} like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils ^{▼▼ The phrase “the blast of your nostrils” is a bold anthropomorphic expression for the wind that came in and dried up the water.} the waters were piled up,
the flowing water stood upright like a heap, ^{▼▼ The word “heap” describes the walls of water. The waters, which are naturally fluid, stood up as though they were a heap, a mound of earth. Likewise, the flowing waters deep in the ocean solidified – as though they were turned to ice (U. Cassuto, Exodus, 175).}
and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will chase, ^{▼▼ W. C. Kaiser observes the staccato phrases that almost imitate the heavy, breathless heaving of the Egyptians as, with what reserve of strength they have left, they vow, “I will…, I will…, I will…” (“Exodus,” EBC 2:395).} I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
my desire ^{▼▼ The form is נַפְשִׁי (nafshi, “my soul”). But this word refers to the whole person, the body and the soul, or better, a bundle of appetites in a body. It therefore can figuratively refer to the desires or appetites (Deut 12:15; 14:26; 23:24). Here, with the verb “to be full” means “to be satisfied”; the whole expression might indicate “I will be sated with them” or “I will gorge myself.” The greedy appetite was to destroy.} will be satisfied on them.
I will draw ^{▼▼ The verb רִיק (riq) means “to be empty” in the Qal, and in the Hiphil “to empty.” Here the idea is to unsheathe a sword.} my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ ^{▼▼ The verb is יָרַשׁ (yarash), which in the Hiphil means “to dispossess” or “root out.” The meaning “destroy” is a general interpretation.}
10 But ^{▼▼ “But” has been supplied here.} you blew with your breath, and ^{▼▼ Here “and” has been supplied.} the sea covered them.
They sank ^{▼▼ The verb may have the idea of sinking with a gurgling sound, like water going into a whirlpool (R. A. Cole, Exodus [TOTC], 124; S. R. Driver, Exodus, 136). See F. M. Cross and D. N. Freedman, “The Song of Miriam,” JNES 14 (1955): 243-47.} like lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like you, ^{▼▼ The question is of course rhetorical; it is a way of affirming that no one is comparable to God. See C. J. Labuschagne, The Incomparability of Yahweh in the Old Testament, 22, 66–67, and 94–97.} O Lord, among the gods? ^{▼▼ Verses 11–17 will now focus on Yahweh as the incomparable one who was able to save Israel from their foes and afterward lead them to the promised land.}
Who is like you? – majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, ^{▼▼ S. R. Driver suggests “praiseworthy acts” as the translation (Exodus, 137).} working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand,
the earth swallowed them. ^{▼▼ The verb is the prefixed conjugation, the preterite without the vav consecutive. The subject, the “earth,” must be inclusive of the sea, or it may indicate the grave or Sheol; the sea drowned them. Some scholars wish to see this as a reference to Dathan and Abiram, and therefore evidence of a later addition or compilation. It fits this passage well, however.}
13 By your loyal love you will lead ^{▼▼ The verbs in the next two verses are perfect tenses, but can be interpreted as a prophetic perfect, looking to the future.} the people whom ^{▼▼ The particle זוּ (zu) is a relative pronoun, subordinating the next verb to the preceding.} you have redeemed;
you will guide ^{▼▼ This verb seems to mean “to guide to a watering-place” (See Ps 23:2).} them by your strength to your holy dwelling place.