Exodus 14 16

Exodus 14:16 kjv

But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

Exodus 14:16 nkjv

But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

Exodus 14:16 niv

Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 14:16 esv

Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 14:16 nlt

Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 16 Meaning

This verse conveys God's direct instruction to Moses, commanding him to physically lift his staff and stretch out his hand over the Red Sea. This action would initiate the miraculous parting of the waters, creating a dry pathway for the children of Israel to walk through its very midst. It highlights divine power channelled through human agency, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty and his intention to deliver his people from imminent danger.

Exodus 14 16 Context

Exodus Chapter 14 finds the newly freed Israelites encamped at the Red Sea, pursued by Pharaoh's army. Panic grips the people, and they cry out against Moses and God, wishing they had remained slaves rather than face death at the sea. God responds not with a rebuke of their fear, but with a practical instruction to Moses, outlined in this verse. Moses is told to cease crying out to God and to act according to God's empowerment. This immediate instruction shifts the narrative from Israel's despair and doubt to God's miraculous intervention, validating Moses' leadership and securing Israel's physical deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The act will solidify Yahweh's reputation as the supreme deity, surpassing all Egyptian gods, particularly those associated with nature and the elements.

Exodus 14 16 Word analysis

• But (וְאַתָּה, vĕ'attah): Literally "And you," but in this context, it functions adversatively or contrastively. While the people despair, God addresses Moses directly and emphatically, separating him from the general panic. It highlights Moses' unique role and the divine mandate given specifically to him.
• lift thou up (הָרֵם, hareim): A forceful imperative. It implies not just a slight elevation, but a deliberate, prominent lifting of the rod. This public action makes it clear that the miracle is performed through Moses by God's power, visible to all.
• thy rod (מַטֶּךָ, matteh): Refers to the shepherd's staff that Moses carried, which God had already imbued with miraculous power (Ex 4:2-4) and used in previous plagues (Ex 7:17, 8:5). It is a symbol of God's authority vested in Moses, transforming a simple tool into an instrument of divine power. It represents a concrete link between Moses' human obedience and God's supernatural activity.
• and stretch out (וּנְטֵה, uneteh): An imperative verb often associated with reaching forth or extending one's hand, particularly for action, blessing, or judgment. It signifies an intentional gesture, directing divine power toward a specific target.
• thine hand (יָדְךָ, yadekha): The hand in Hebrew culture and biblical text frequently symbolizes power, strength, action, and authority. Moses stretching out his hand alongside the rod underscores his personal involvement as the chosen conduit for God's mighty work. It suggests a direct connection, an embodiment of the divine will.
• over the sea (עַל־הַיָּם, al-hayyam): "Over" (al) indicates a position of authority or direct influence. The target is explicitly "the sea," known as Yam Suph (Sea of Reeds). This specificity highlights the magnitude of the miracle, as the sea was the seemingly impassable barrier for the Israelites. The action is directed precisely where the obstacle lies.
• and divide it (וּבְקָעֵהוּ, uveqa'eihu): A strong verb meaning "to cleave," "to split asunder," "to tear apart," or "to pierce." It denotes a decisive and radical separation, not merely a gentle parting. The Hebrew word emphasizes the deep, foundational cleavage of the waters, resulting in two distinct walls of water, creating an open path.
• and the children of Israel shall go (וּבֹאוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, u vow beney-Yisra'eil): This clause shifts from command to prophetic promise and assurance. It is not an instruction to Israel but a declaration of the guaranteed outcome for them.
• on dry ground (בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, bayyabashah): Directly translates to "on the dry land/ground." This stands in stark contrast to "the sea," emphasizing the absolute nature of the miracle. It means the path will be solid, safe, and easily traversed, preventing any delay or impediment during the crossing.
• through the midst of the sea (בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם, betokh hayyam): Literally "in the middle/interior of the sea." This emphasizes the profound and unprecedented nature of the pathway. It's not a detour around the edge, but a direct, awe-inspiring passage through what was formerly an impassable watery barrier. It symbolizes the complete penetration of what was previously un-penetratable by human power.

Exodus 14 16 Bonus section

The detailed instruction for Moses to "lift up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand" points to the principle that while salvation is entirely of God, human beings are often called to an act of faith and obedience, however small, to witness divine power. It underscores a synergy between God's will and man's obedient action. This specific dual command, combining both the sacred object (the rod) and the personal act (stretching the hand), signifies a total involvement—body, tool, and spirit—in channeling God's power. Furthermore, the event's precise outcome, "dry ground," emphasizes God's perfect control and care, not merely parting the waters but ensuring a safe and clean passage, a level of detail that points to God's benevolent provision beyond simply escaping danger. The Red Sea event serves as a foundational identity marker for Israel, perpetually reminding them of Yahweh's mighty arm and establishing the "Red Sea experience" as the definitive historical demonstration of divine redemption.

Exodus 14 16 Commentary

Exodus 14:16 stands as a pivotal command in the biblical narrative of the Exodus, showcasing divine omnipotence and faithfulness. It reveals that God does not abandon His people in their moment of fear and seemingly insurmountable crisis, but intervenes mightily. The instruction to Moses emphasizes that while the miracle is solely God's power, He chooses to work through human agents, validating their obedience and faith. Moses' rod, once a shepherd's tool, becomes a symbol of delegated authority, its raising a direct trigger for a cosmic act. The parting of the sea is a profound polemic against Egyptian polytheism, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute supremacy over forces of nature often deified by their enemies. This event is not merely a historical rescue; it establishes God as the Redeemer and Giver of the way where there is none, setting a pattern for future acts of salvation. It prefigures how faith in God's power can overcome life's "impossible" obstacles and is later understood in the New Testament as a type of baptism into new life, signaling liberation from the old life of bondage. It instructs believers that when human solutions fail and fear sets in, divine action, channeled through obedience, can create a path to freedom.