Exodus 15:1 kjv
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exodus 15:1 nkjv
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!
Exodus 15:1 niv
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
Exodus 15:1 esv
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
Exodus 15:1 nlt
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea.
Exodus 15 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 14:27-28 | "The waters returned and covered the chariots... not one of them remained." | Immediate context of destruction |
| Psa 78:53 | "He led them in safety... but the sea swallowed up their enemies." | Recounts Red Sea deliverance |
| Psa 106:11 | "The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left." | Echoes the destruction of Egyptians |
| Neh 9:11 | "You divided the sea before them... and you cast their pursuers into the depths." | God's action at the Red Sea |
| Isa 12:4-5 | "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name... for he has done gloriously." | Praise for God's glorious acts |
| Isa 25:1 | "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things." | Exaltation for great deeds |
| Psa 68:4 | "Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts." | Exhortation to sing praise to God |
| Deut 31:30 | "Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song to the end." | Moses teaches another song of deliverance |
| Psa 18:46 | "The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation!" | David's song of personal deliverance |
| Psa 150:6 | "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!" | Universal call to praise God |
| Psa 33:2-3 | "Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre... Sing to him a new song." | Call to praise God with music |
| Psa 93:3-4 | "The floods have lifted up, O LORD... The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters." | God's supremacy over chaotic forces |
| Job 26:12 | "By his power he stilled the sea; by his understanding he shattered Rahab." | God's power over chaos (symbolized by Rahab/sea) |
| 1 Cor 10:1-2 | "Our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." | Red Sea as a spiritual precursor/baptism |
| Rom 9:17 | "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." | God uses Pharaoh for His glory and demonstration of power |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Relates to Pharaoh's pride and fall |
| Hab 3:17-19 | "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." | Song of faith in God's saving power |
| Isa 11:15-16 | "The LORD will utterly dry up the tongue of the Sea of Egypt... to make a highway for the remnant." | Future exodus-like deliverance, dry land through a body of water |
| Zech 10:11 | "He shall pass through the sea of distress and strike down the waves in the sea." | Future judgment on enemies akin to Red Sea |
| Rev 15:3-4 | "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb..." | The Redemptive Song of Moses sung in the New Testament heavens |
| Psa 145:12 | "To make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." | Praise for God's mighty deeds and glory |
| Psa 105:2 | "Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!" | Instruction to recount God's deeds |
Exodus 15 verses
Exodus 15 1 Meaning
Exodus 15:1 introduces the triumphant "Song of the Sea," a hymn of praise sung by Moses and the Israelites following their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. The verse declares their intention to sing to the LORD, proclaiming His absolute and glorious triumph over their enemies, specifically highlighted by the destruction of Pharaoh's formidable cavalry in the sea. It signifies a profound moment of collective worship and recognition of Yahweh's unparalleled power as deliverer.
Exodus 15 1 Context
Exodus 15:1 immediately follows the climactic event of the Red Sea crossing (Exod 14). Pharaoh's army, with its chariots and horsemen, pursued the Israelites, trapping them against the sea. In a spectacular demonstration of divine power, God miraculously parted the waters, allowing His people to walk on dry ground. When the Egyptians pursued them into the seabed, the waters returned, utterly annihilating Pharaoh's entire military force. The deliverance was complete and decisive. This verse marks the Israelites' spontaneous, communal response of exuberant worship and thanksgiving to Yahweh, acknowledging Him as their sole deliverer and champion. It is the very first recorded song in the Bible.
Exodus 15 1 Word analysis
- Then (אָז - 'az): This adverb marks a precise, significant point in time directly consequential to the preceding event. It emphasizes the immediacy of the response to God's act of salvation.
- Moses and the people of Israel: Signifies communal, unified worship. Moses, as the leader and mediator, leads the song, but the entire congregation actively participates, reflecting a collective outpouring of gratitude and awe.
- sang (יָשִׁיר - yashir): The Hebrew verb is in the imperfect tense but functions as a narrative perfect, denoting immediate, spontaneous action. It implies a heartfelt, involuntary bursting forth of praise in response to God's deliverance, rather than a pre-meditated liturgical act. It points to a deep emotional and spiritual engagement.
- this song (הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת - ha-shirah ha-zot): Specifies that this is a unique composition, created in response to this particular, unprecedented event of deliverance. It implies a new act of worship befitting a new display of God's power.
- to the LORD (לַיהוָה - l'Adonai / Yahweh): Identifies the sole recipient and focus of their praise. It emphasizes that this triumph is exclusively attributed to the God of Israel, Yahweh, distinct from any human effort or pagan deity.
- I will sing to the LORD: The song begins with a personal commitment ("I") within the collective "we" of the previous statement, demonstrating individual dedication and praise for a personal God.
- for he has triumphed gloriously (גָּאָה גָּאָה - ga'oh ga'ah): This is a crucial phrase. The verb ga'ah (גָּאָה) means "to be lifted up," "to be exalted," "to rise proudly." Its intensive repetition (ga'oh ga'ah) serves as a superlative, meaning "most gloriously exalted" or "has indeed triumphed magnificently/overwhelmingly." It highlights God's absolute, incomparable, majestic victory, asserting His ultimate supremacy. This phrase carries a strong polemic against the pride and false glory of Pharaoh and Egyptian gods, showcasing Yahweh as the truly exalted one.
- the horse and his rider (סוּס וְרֹכְבוֹ - sus v'rokhevo): This phrase represents the epitome of military strength and human power in the ancient world, particularly associated with Egypt's formidable chariot forces. By specifically naming them, the verse highlights that God overcame the greatest earthly might, reducing it to nothing.
- he has thrown (יָרָה - yarah): This verb means "to cast," "to hurl," "to throw down." It suggests a deliberate, powerful, and decisive act of divine judgment and destruction. It is not an accidental event but an active intervention by God.
- into the sea (בַּיָּם - ba-yam): The specific location of their triumph and God's judgment. The sea, often a symbol of chaotic, unconquerable forces in ancient mythologies, is here completely under Yahweh's control, serving as both instrument of deliverance and instrument of judgment.
Exodus 15 1 Bonus section
- The "Song of the Sea" (Exodus 15) is widely regarded as one of the oldest portions of biblical poetry, offering insights into early Israelite theology and poetic forms. Its structure reflects a communal confession of faith and a celebration of God's sovereign power.
- This song establishes a biblical motif: songs of praise arising from divine deliverance. It becomes a prototype for many Psalms and prophetic songs celebrating God's triumph over His enemies.
- The dramatic defeat of Egypt's military serves as a profound polemic not only against Pharaoh's perceived divinity but also against all Egyptian deities associated with nature (e.g., controlling the waters) and warfare, affirming Yahweh's absolute sovereignty.
- The reference to "thrown into the sea" symbolically reflects a return to primordial chaos for Egypt's forces, while for Israel, the sea becomes a pathway to new life and freedom, signifying a new creation and identity for God's people.
- This song is referenced in Revelation 15:3 as "the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb," connecting Israel's foundational redemption at the Red Sea to the ultimate, future redemption of God's people.
Exodus 15 1 Commentary
Exodus 15:1 marks the culmination of the Exodus event, moving from miraculous salvation to uninhibited adoration. It presents God not merely as a rescuer, but as a warrior and king whose power is unrivaled and whose victory is absolute. The spontaneous nature of the song underscores the overwhelming joy and recognition of God's incomparable might. The specific imagery of the "horse and rider" being "thrown into the sea" powerfully juxtaposes the futility of human strength against the omnipotence of Yahweh. This verse sets a paradigm for all future salvation events, where God's people respond to His mighty acts with songs of praise and exaltation, confirming His supremacy over all creation and earthly powers. It foundationalizes Israel's understanding of their God as unique and supremely powerful.