Exodus 14:31 kjv
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Exodus 14:31 nkjv
Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.
Exodus 14:31 niv
And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
Exodus 14:31 esv
Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Exodus 14:31 nlt
When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Exodus 14 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 10:12-13 | ...to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him... | Connects fear of God with obedience and love. |
| Deut 18:15,18 | The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among you... | Prophetic role of Moses foreshadows Christ. |
| Psa 106:12 | Then they believed His words; they sang His praise. | Echoes immediate belief after salvation. |
| Psa 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Establishes fear of God as foundational wisdom. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Reiterates fear of God as basis for knowledge. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Wisdom starts with reverential fear of God. |
| Isa 11:2-3 | The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him... a Spirit of the fear of the Lord. | Fear of God as a characteristic of the Messiah. |
| John 1:12 | But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become... | Believing in the name of the Lord. |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son... | Foundation of Christian belief. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord... and believe in your... | Salvation through belief in the Lord. |
| Heb 3:5-6 | Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant... but Christ as a Son. | Moses's servanthood contrasted with Christ's sonship. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes... | Necessity of belief/faith for divine approval. |
| Judg 6:13 | Then Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then... | Contrasts with Israel's immediate faith in Exodus. |
| Neh 9:9-11 | You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry... | Remembers God's deliverance at Red Sea. |
| Psa 78:12-16 | He performed wonders before their fathers... divided the sea and made them pass. | Recounts the miracles and deliverance at the Red Sea. |
| Psa 105:23-27 | Then Israel entered Egypt... He sent Moses His servant... showed His signs. | Recalls Moses's divine appointment and signs. |
| Exo 19:9 | Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud... | God speaks directly to Moses, affirming His authority. |
| Deut 6:21-22 | then you shall say to your son, ‘We were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord... | Command to remember God's mighty deliverance. |
| Josh 24:6-7 | 'Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea... | Joshua's recount of the Red Sea deliverance. |
| Psa 66:5-6 | Come and see the works of God... He turned the sea into dry land... | Invitation to witness God's awe-inspiring works. |
Exodus 14 verses
Exodus 14 31 Meaning
Exodus 14:31 describes the profound impact of the Red Sea miracle on the Israelites. After witnessing God's unparalleled power in annihilating the Egyptian army, the people experienced a foundational shift in their spiritual understanding. They "feared the Lord," which signifies reverent awe and a deep recognition of His omnipotence and holiness, and consequently, they "believed the Lord" and affirmed the divine authority of "His servant Moses." This moment marked a critical turning point, solidifying their nascent faith and establishing Moses's leadership as divinely sanctioned.
Exodus 14 31 Context
Exodus 14:31 climaxes the dramatic events surrounding the Red Sea crossing. Preceding this verse, Israel was trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable sea, leading to immense fear and complaints against Moses (Exod 14:10-12). God, through Moses, miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing Israel to cross on dry ground. As the Egyptians followed, God caused the waters to return, utterly destroying Pharaoh's chariots and cavalry. The "great work" (or "great hand") referred to is this unprecedented act of divine intervention, demonstrating Yahweh's supreme power over nature, over Egypt's gods, and over their formidable military might. This event formed the bedrock of Israel's national identity, cementing God as their Deliverer and validating Moses as His chosen leader, preparing the way for the covenant at Sinai. This was a profound polemic against the supposed divine power of Pharaoh and the impotency of Egyptian deities.
Exodus 14 31 Word analysis
- Thus (וַיַּרְא, vayyar’): Signifies a consequential outcome. It bridges the direct cause (God's work) and the resulting effect (Israel's response).
- Israel saw (וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayyar’ Yisrael): "Saw" here implies more than mere physical sight; it suggests a deep comprehension, perception, and recognition of the event's significance. It speaks of spiritual discernment and a witness.
- the great work (הַיָּד הַגְּדֹלָה, hayyad hag’dolah): Literally, "the great hand." "Hand" is a common biblical anthropomorphism for God's power, strength, action, and agency. "Great" emphasizes its immense, unprecedented, and awe-inspiring nature, far beyond human capability. It points to divine intervention.
- which the Lord (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהוָה, ’asher ‘asah YHWH): This explicitly attributes the mighty deed to YHWH, God's covenant name, signifying His personal and active involvement.
- had done (עָשָׂה, ‘asah): To do, make, or accomplish. Denotes a decisive and complete action.
- upon the Egyptians (בְּמִצְרַיִם, b’mitzrayim): Indicates that God's great power was directly exercised against the Egyptians, serving as both judgment and salvation for Israel.
- so the people feared (וַיִּירְאוּ הָעָם אֶת יְהוָה, vayyir’u ha’am ’et YHWH): "Feared" (וַיִּירְאוּ, vayyir’u) is from the root yara’, meaning to fear, reverence, stand in awe of. It’s not simply terror, but a profound, reverential awe of God's majesty and power, leading to submission and worship.
- the Lord (אֶת יְהוָה, ’et YHWH): Again, YHWH is emphasized as the sole object of their reverential fear, recognizing Him as sovereign.
- and believed (וַיַּאֲמִינוּ בַּיהוָה, vayya’aminu b’YHWH): "Believed" is from the root aman, meaning to be firm, trustworthy, to lean on, have confidence in. This is the biblical concept of faith: trusting, relying on, and being faithful to God. It signifies an acceptance of truth and allegiance.
- the Lord (בַּיהוָה, b’YHWH): Reinforces YHWH as the object of their trust. This marked a profound turning point from their prior complaining.
- and His servant Moses (וּבְמֹשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ, uv’mosheh avdo): Their belief extended not only to God but also to His appointed representative. Recognizing Moses as "His servant" affirms his divinely sanctioned leadership and prophetic authority. It established his credibility.
Exodus 14 31 Bonus section
The immediate and powerful impact described in this verse served as the theological bedrock for future generations of Israelites. Remembering this "great work" was to become a core aspect of their historical and spiritual identity, frequently invoked in Psalms, prophetic writings, and later accounts in Joshua and Nehemiah as proof of God's faithfulness and power. While this belief was genuine in the moment, subsequent events in the wilderness demonstrate the human tendency for faith to falter, requiring repeated divine interventions and the reinforcement of God's word. This initial "fear and belief" represents a honeymoon phase, quickly tested, but providing a foundational memory of God's overwhelming might. The act of "seeing" God's mighty "hand" parallels the concept in Rom 1:20, where God's attributes are understood through His works, leading to a deeper recognition of His divinity.
Exodus 14 31 Commentary
Exodus 14:31 is a pivotal declaration of Israel's response to God's mighty deliverance at the Red Sea. Having just witnessed the ultimate display of divine power against their oppressors, the people transitioned from despair to profound faith and awe. This event transcended a mere physical rescue; it was a spiritual revelation that cemented God's identity as their deliverer and the only true God, a direct repudiation of the perceived might of Pharaoh and the numerous deities of Egypt. Their "fear of the Lord" implies a deep, reverential awe leading to a realization of His holy and omnipotent nature. This awe, in turn, fueled their "belief," signifying not just intellectual assent but a profound trust and reliance upon YHWH. Crucially, their faith extended to Moses as God's chosen representative, laying the essential groundwork for his authority in receiving and mediating the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai. This moment initiated a national identity rooted in God's mighty acts of salvation.