Exodus 14 29

Exodus 14:29 kjv

But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exodus 14:29 nkjv

But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Exodus 14:29 niv

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Exodus 14:29 esv

But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Exodus 14:29 nlt

But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 29 Meaning

The verse emphatically describes the unparalleled salvation of the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptian army. While their enemies were being drowned, God ensured that His chosen people walked safely and securely through the depths of the parted sea on completely dry ground. The formidable walls of water, miraculously held on their right and left, symbolized God's complete and protective presence, a stark contrast to the chaotic destruction meted out to the Egyptians.

Exodus 14 29 Context

Exodus chapter 14 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Trapped between Pharaoh's pursuing army and the Red Sea, the Israelites faced an seemingly insurmountable obstacle. In their despair and murmuring, Moses cried out to the Lord. Verses 21-28 detail God's dramatic intervention: Moses stretched out his hand, and God, through a strong east wind, parted the sea, creating a dry pathway for Israel. While Israel crossed, the Egyptians followed, only to be overwhelmed when the waters returned. Verse 29 explicitly affirms Israel's successful, miraculous passage on dry ground with walls of water. This event profoundly establishes Yahweh as the omnipotent Deliverer, challenging all Egyptian deities and their Pharaoh's authority by demonstrating His absolute power over nature and life.

Exodus 14 29 Word analysis

• But (וְ-): This simple conjunction, `ve-`, serves to draw a strong contrast. It signals a shift in focus from the destructive fate of the Egyptians to the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites, emphasizing that their experience was fundamentally different and divinely ordained.
• the people of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, bene Yisra'el): Meaning "sons of Israel." This phrase highlights their collective identity as God's chosen covenant people. It reinforces that the deliverance was for the entire community, not merely an individual act.
• walked (הָלְכוּ, hal'khu): A simple verb meaning "to walk" or "to go." It denotes ease and unhindered movement, emphasizing that their passage was not a desperate scramble but a confident, orderly journey facilitated by divine power. It contrasts with the Egyptians who "pursued" (Ex 14:23).
• on dry ground (בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, bay-yabbashah): Yabbashah means "dry land" or "dry ground." This detail underscores the completeness of the miracle. The ground was not muddy or damp, but perfectly dry, akin to terra firma. This highlights God's power to transform water into solid land, a polemic against the perceived uncontrollable nature of primeval waters often associated with chaos in ancient mythologies. It mirrors God's creative act in Gen 1:9-10.
• through the sea (בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם, b'tokh hayyam): "In the midst of the sea." Hayyam refers to the body of water, here specifically the Red Sea (Yam Suf). Walking "through" the very middle of it emphasizes the audacity and magnitude of the miracle. It wasn't just near the edge but a direct passage through what was a natural, insurmountable barrier, stressing the profundity of divine intervention.
• the waters (וְהַמַּיִם, v'hammayim): This explicitly refers to the very element that represented chaos and danger for the Egyptians. Yet, for Israel, these same waters became their salvation. This highlights the paradoxical nature of God's power: the same source that brings judgment also brings salvation.
• forming a wall (לָהֶם חוֹמָה, lahem chomah): Chomah typically means "a wall," "fortification," or "a barrier." The use of "wall" is critical as it implies stability, height, and impassable protection. It suggests the waters were not merely pushed back but actively stood erect and firm, like a constructed edifice, held by divine power. This specific imagery further elevates the miracle from a natural receding of tides to an intentional, supernatural creation of a safe passage, offering full security against collapse.
• for them (לָהֶם, lahem): This dative pronoun emphasizes the personal nature of God's intervention. The wall of water was specifically "for them," demonstrating God's covenantal love and protection directed singularly towards His people.
• on their right and on their left (מִימִינָם וּמִשְׂמֹאלָם, miminyam u-mismolam): This phrase emphasizes the completeness and encompassing nature of the divine protection. There were no exposed flanks; Israel was fully enclosed and secured by the water walls on both sides, ensuring their absolute safety through the otherwise deadly depths.

• "walked on dry ground through the sea": This phrase captures the impossible made possible. It highlights the direct contrast between natural impediment and supernatural triumph. It portrays a confident procession facilitated entirely by divine power, defying all natural laws.
• "the waters forming a wall for them": This specific description of "waters forming a wall" emphasizes not merely a receding but an active, architectural manipulation of water, transforming a fluid element into a solid, protective barrier. It conveys the steadfastness and immense power required for such a miracle. The 'wall' serves as a literal barrier of safety and a symbolic display of God's active, sustained presence during their crossing.
• "on their right and on their left": This completes the picture of total encapsulation and absolute security. It signifies that the pathway was fully defined and protected from all sides by God's miraculous intervention, leaving no room for fear or danger. It underscores the divine completeness of the protective act.

Exodus 14 29 Bonus section

The "wall" (חֹמָה, chomah) imagery is deeply significant. In ancient Near Eastern culture, walls denoted strength, security, and impenetrable defense (e.g., city walls). The concept of water, fluid and ever-changing, standing rigidly as walls directly challenges all human constructs of security and highlights that God's power far transcends natural laws and human limitations. This specific terminology ensures that the miracle is understood not as a natural phenomenon, but as a direct, active divine intervention. The Red Sea deliverance, marked by this verse, established a fundamental pattern of salvation in the Hebrew Scriptures – God making a way through impassable obstacles, often involving judgment upon the unrighteous and salvation for His covenant people. It is the archetype for divine deliverance, making the "dry ground" a path of faith and obedience, contrasting the "waters" as a place of judgment and destruction for the wicked.

Exodus 14 29 Commentary

Exodus 14:29 stands as the triumphant concluding statement regarding Israel's miraculous passage through the Red Sea. Following the intense narrative of fear, divine command, and overwhelming power display, this verse acts as a sharp counterpoint to the impending judgment upon the Egyptians. It underscores the perfect discriminative power of God: the very waters that become an instrument of destruction for Pharaoh's army simultaneously serve as a means of unparalleled salvation for Israel. The details "dry ground" and "forming a wall" are not mere descriptive embellishments but profound theological statements. They demonstrate Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over creation, transforming a life-threatening obstacle into a secure highway. This event became foundational for Israel's identity, symbolizing their birth as a redeemed nation under God's protection. It's an act of divine fidelity, fulfilling His promises and asserting His unique supremacy over all other deities.