Exodus 14 30

Exodus 14:30 kjv

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

Exodus 14:30 nkjv

So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Exodus 14:30 niv

That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.

Exodus 14:30 esv

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Exodus 14:30 nlt

That is how the LORD rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 30 Meaning

Exodus 14:30 succinctly declares the climactic result of the Red Sea event: God’s complete and tangible deliverance of Israel and the definitive annihilation of their oppressors. This verse serves as a historical declaration of Yahweh’s unparalleled power and commitment to His covenant people, validating His identity as their Savior and judge of their enemies, visible for all to witness.

Exodus 14 30 Context

Exodus chapter 14 describes the pivotal moment in Israel's liberation from Egypt: the crossing of the Red Sea. After the plagues, Pharaoh released Israel but soon pursued them with his formidable army, trapping them against the sea. Amidst Israel’s fear and doubt, Moses, at God’s command, stretched out his staff, and God supernaturally parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. As the Egyptians followed, God caused the waters to return, drowning Pharaoh’s entire army. Verse 30 delivers the powerful summation of this divine act. Historically, this event fundamentally shaped Israel's national identity as a people redeemed by Yahweh’s mighty hand, forever establishing the Lord as their deliverer and supreme authority, explicitly countering Pharaoh's divine claims and the perceived might of Egyptian gods. It proved Yahweh's dominion over nature and military power.

Exodus 14 30 Word analysis

• Thus (כֵּן - ken): Signifies consequence and conclusion. It implies "in this way," "so," or "thereby," drawing a direct line from the preceding events (the parting and closing of the sea) to the ultimate outcome of Israel's salvation. It marks the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver them.
• the Lord (יְהוָֹה - YHWH): God's covenant name, frequently transliterated as "Yahweh." This name emphasizes God's personal, active presence and His unchanging, self-existent nature. His agency as "the Lord" confirms that this deliverance was not random chance or human effort, but the direct, sovereign act of the God of Israel. It asserts His unique identity above all other gods.
• saved (וַיּוֹשַׁע - vayyōwša‘): From the root יָשַׁע (yasha'), meaning "to save, deliver, rescue, liberate, bring to safety." This verb denotes a powerful, effective act of intervention. It's more than mere escape; it is comprehensive and protective salvation from danger and oppression. It's a key theological term defining God's relationship with His people.
• Israel: Refers to the collective nation, the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen covenant people. The salvation was for them corporately, marking them as the recipients of divine favor and protection.
• that day: Specifies the event's immediacy and historical definitiveness. It's a particular point in time when this profound salvation occurred, making it a verifiable historical landmark in Israel's history. It distinguishes this unique, unprecedented intervention.
• from the hand of (מִיַּד - miyyad): The Hebrew "yad" (hand) here is a powerful metaphor for power, control, authority, and often oppression. "From the hand of" indicates a release from the grip and power of the Egyptians. It emphasizes rescue from complete subjugation and the direct assertion of God's superior authority over the oppressor.
• the Egyptians: Refers to Pharaoh’s army, the embodiment of Israel’s oppressors and the most powerful military force of their time. The deliverance "from the Egyptians" highlights the immense power of the enemy overcome by God. This implies a polemic against the supposed invincibility of Egyptian military and the impotence of their gods in the face of Yahweh.
• and Israel saw (וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל - vayyar' yisrā'ēl): The verb רָאָה (ra'ah) means "to see, perceive, witness." This is crucial. It’s not a rumored event but one directly witnessed by the entire nation. This eyewitness account validates the reality and extent of God’s judgment and salvation. Visual confirmation leaves no room for doubt about the outcome.
• the Egyptians: Re-emphasizes the clear object of God's judgment and Israel's past tormentors.
• dead (מֵתִים - metim): The participle "dead" conveys absolute, irreversible destruction. No survivor means no further threat or pursuit. This completeness underscores the totality of God's judgment and the certainty of Israel's newfound freedom. It ensured finality.
• on the seashore (עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם - al-śefat hayyam): Literally, "upon the lip/bank of the sea." This specific detail anchors the event in reality and provides clear evidence. The bodies washed ashore publicly displayed the judgment. It was a visible monument to divine victory and human defeat. The "seashore" signifies the very boundary where judgment was finalized and salvation was made manifest.

Words-group analysis:

• "Thus the Lord saved Israel that day": This phrase underlines God's direct and decisive action. It emphasizes the divine initiative and successful outcome, making it clear that salvation came solely from Yahweh's power, not human strategy or might. This is a foundational theological statement of Yahweh as Israel's sole deliverer.
• "from the hand of the Egyptians": This idiom powerfully conveys the extent of Israel’s deliverance. They were not just saved from Egyptians but from the very grip and power of a formidable empire, signifying a total release from their slavery and oppression. It highlights the overcoming of an overwhelming enemy by divine power.
• "and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore": This provides the indisputable, public evidence of God's salvific act and judgment. The visual confirmation transformed an abstract divine promise into a concrete, observable reality, reinforcing faith and dispelling any remaining fear or doubt regarding the enemy. This physical proof also served as a lasting witness to God's justice.

Exodus 14 30 Bonus section

• The "seashore" acted as a dramatic stage where divine justice was publicly manifested, and a clear demarcation line was established between the liberated people and their utterly defeated oppressors. It's a geographical and theological boundary.
• The event served as a central tenet in Israel's future worship and storytelling, particularly during the Passover celebration. It anchored their identity in divine redemption and established God's expectation for their loyalty and obedience (Ex 19:4-6).
• The overwhelming nature of the deliverance provided not just physical safety but also profound psychological and spiritual release, fostering deep faith and trust in Yahweh's ultimate control over all circumstances and enemies.

Exodus 14 30 Commentary

Exodus 14:30 provides the resounding conclusion to one of the Bible’s most significant redemptive acts. It's more than a mere factual statement; it’s a theological affirmation of Yahweh’s sovereignty, power, and unwavering commitment to His people. "Thus the Lord saved Israel" succinctly places agency entirely upon God, underscoring that their freedom was His exclusive work. The term "saved" (yasha') denotes a comprehensive deliverance, moving Israel from death-threat to life-security. This act wasn't just physical rescue but established Yahweh as their covenant Savior.

The phrase "from the hand of the Egyptians" profoundly conveys rescue from absolute dominance. Pharaoh and his army represented the epitome of human might and defiance against God. Their destruction was a powerful polemic against the efficacy of pagan deities and human self-sufficiency, visibly demonstrating that Yahweh alone controls history and creation.

Crucially, "Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore." The visual confirmation transformed intellectual assent into deep conviction (Ex 14:31). This direct eyewitness account rooted the deliverance in tangible reality, serving as a perpetual reminder and source of faith for generations. The complete annihilation, represented by "dead," signifies that the threat was irrevocably gone. This finality of judgment ensures the permanency of Israel's deliverance and underscores the seriousness of God's wrath against His enemies.

This event became a cornerstone of Israel's national identity and worship, a prototype of salvation through divine intervention, and a testament to God's unfailing justice. For Christians, it stands as a historical parallel to the definitive salvation achieved through Christ’s death and resurrection, overcoming spiritual enemies and guaranteeing new life. It embodies the truth that God provides a way where there is no way and triumphs completely over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.