Exodus 15 11

Exodus 15:11 kjv

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 nkjv

"Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 niv

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you? majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Exodus 15:11 esv

"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 nlt

"Who is like you among the gods, O LORD ?
glorious in holiness,
awesome in splendor,
performing great wonders?

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 11 Meaning

Exodus 15:11 is a powerful declaration celebrating the unique, transcendent nature of God following the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army. It posits a rhetorical question asserting God's unparalleled status above all other 'gods' (pagan deities or any perceived powers). The verse describes Him as magnificently holy, inspiring awe and reverence through His glorious actions, and actively performing incredible wonders. It is a song of praise proclaiming Yahweh's incomparable power, purity, and active demonstration of sovereignty.

Exodus 15 11 Context

Exodus 15:11 is part of the "Song of the Sea," or "Song of Moses," found in Exodus 15:1-18. This hymn is recited by Moses and the Israelites immediately after their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh's army. It is a spontaneous outpouring of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating Yahweh's decisive victory over their oppressors. The immediate context of the song is one of triumph, awe, and new understanding of God's power and faithfulness. The verse itself stands as a crescendo, highlighting God's incomparable nature amidst the miraculous event that just occurred.

Historically and culturally, the ancient Near East was rife with polytheism, where numerous gods and goddesses were believed to govern various aspects of nature and human life. Egypt, in particular, had a vast pantheon (e.g., Ra, Amun, Osiris, Isis, Set, etc.) that underpinned their entire religious, social, and political structure, with Pharaoh himself considered divine or the son of a god. The ten plagues and the Red Sea event were direct and devastating judgments against these Egyptian deities (Ex 12:12). Exodus 15:11, therefore, serves as a powerful theological polemic, declaring the absolute supremacy of Yahweh over all rival 'gods' and perceived powers. It affirms strict monotheism and demonstrates that the God of Israel alone possesses true divine power, holiness, and the ability to perform genuine wonders, shattering the legitimacy of all other cults.

Exodus 15 11 Word analysis

• Who is like You (מִי כָמֹכָה - mi chamochah):

  • Hebrew for "Who (is) like You?"
  • A rhetorical question strongly implying "no one" or "none at all."
  • Highlights God's singular, incomparable nature. It's a statement of absolute uniqueness.
  • It is a core theological declaration found throughout the Bible concerning Yahweh.

• O Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH, Yahweh):

  • The personal, covenant name of God revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15).
  • Signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His covenant people.
  • The address reaffirms that this unique God is Israel's God, who just acted on their behalf.

• among the gods (בָּאֵלִם - ba'elim):

  • Hebrew for "among the gods" or "among the mighty ones."
  • Primarily refers to the pagan deities of Egypt and Canaan.
  • Emphasizes the decisive victory of Yahweh over all false gods and idolatrous systems.
  • It directly challenges the prevailing polytheistic worldview, establishing God's unrivaled power and sovereignty.

• glorious (נֶאְדָּר - ne'dar):

  • From the root אדר ('adar), meaning "to be mighty, magnificent, majestic, glorious."
  • The passive participle suggests God is "clothed with glory" or "magnified."
  • Refers to His splendor, honor, and awesome display of power, particularly seen in the Red Sea deliverance.

• in holiness (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ - baqodesh):

  • From the root קדשׁ (qodesh), meaning "set apart, consecrated, pure."
  • Holiness is a fundamental attribute of God, signifying His moral purity, transcendental separation from creation and sin, and utter otherness.
  • God's glory is not arbitrary but flows from His inherent, perfect holiness. He is glorious precisely because He is holy.
  • This distinguishes Him sharply from pagan gods, often associated with immorality and earthly limitations.

• fearful (נוֹרָא - nora):

  • From the root ירא (yare), meaning "to fear, to dread."
  • Translated as "awe-inspiring," "terrible" (in the sense of evoking terror and profound respect), or "dreadful."
  • Conveys the profound reverence, astonishment, and holy fear inspired by God's manifest power and presence. It's not terror of punishment but profound awe before majesty.

• in praises (תְהִלֹּת - tehilot):

  • From the root הלל (halal), meaning "to praise, boast."
  • This phrase has been interpreted in various ways:
    1. "awesome in praises (He receives)" - God inspires fear/awe through the praise offered to Him by His people.
    2. "awesome in praises (He performs/deserves)" - His attributes (like holiness and wonders) are themselves His praise-worthy deeds.
    3. "awesome in renown" or "reverend with the praises" - His fame and reputation inspire awe.
  • Regardless, it links His fearful nature directly to acts that provoke or embody praise.

• doing wonders (עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא - oseh pele):

  • Hebrew for "one who does" (עֹשֵׂה - oseh) "wonders" (פֶלֶא - pele).
  • Pele signifies an extraordinary, miraculous, or astonishing act that surpasses human capability and points to divine intervention.
  • Directly references the recent Red Sea miracle, and signifies God's ongoing capacity to act supernaturally.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?": This rhetorical question is a strong affirmation of divine incomparability. It dismisses the validity or power of all other alleged deities, establishing God as supreme and unique among all that might be called 'divine' or 'mighty' in the ancient world. It is the core theological statement of the verse, laying the groundwork for monotheism against polytheism.

• "Who is like You, glorious in holiness": This reiterates the incomparability while introducing the crucial attribute of "holiness" as the source of God's glory. His magnificent splendor and awe-inspiring acts flow from His inherent purity, moral perfection, and distinct otherness from creation and sin. His glory is not merely external display but rooted in His moral character.

• "fearful in praises": This phrase connects God's awe-inspiring nature directly with His interaction with His creation. He inspires reverence both by receiving the worship of His people (which should always be reverent) and through His mighty acts which themselves are cause for overwhelming praise and awe. It suggests that even in celebration, the Israelites were mindful of His profound, fearful majesty.

• "doing wonders": This concluding phrase grounds the theoretical attributes (glory, holiness, fearfulness) in practical demonstration. God is not just unique in abstract qualities but actively demonstrates His power and incomparability through miraculous interventions in history, such as the Red Sea deliverance. This makes His uniqueness undeniable and tangible.

Exodus 15 11 Bonus section

The Song of the Sea (Ex 15), including verse 11, serves as an archetype for many future hymns of praise in the Bible (e.g., Psalms, Revelation). Its emphasis on God as a divine warrior and the performer of salvific acts established a foundational understanding of God's character for Israel. This specific verse, "Who is like You?", became a theological motif, frequently echoed throughout the Old Testament as Israel continued to distinguish their God from the gods of surrounding nations (e.g., in Ps 86, Is 40-48, Jer 10). It highlights the fundamental incompatibility between biblical monotheism and any form of idolatry or polytheism, setting a precedent for God's jealous nature (Ex 20:3-5). The future consummation of God's kingdom also recalls these themes; Revelation 15, describing the final victory of God's people, specifically refers to singing "the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb," reinforcing the eternal nature of God's attributes of holiness, power, and incomparable majesty.

Exodus 15 11 Commentary

Exodus 15:11 stands as a quintessential declaration of Yahweh's uniqueness, an unparalleled assertion in an ancient world teeming with polytheism. It crystallizes the theological lesson of the Red Sea deliverance: God is absolutely incomparable. The rhetorical question, "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?" leaves no room for rivals, definitively proclaiming His solitary status above any so-called deities of Egypt or elsewhere. This is not merely a statement of relative superiority but one of exclusive divinity.

His "glory in holiness" defines His majesty. God's splendor and manifest power are intrinsically tied to His character of ultimate purity, moral perfection, and being utterly set apart. Unlike the capricious and often immoral deities of paganism, Yahweh's actions flow from His impeccable righteousness, making His power profoundly righteous and distinct. He is "fearful in praises," indicating that even in worship, His overwhelming majesty and awe-inspiring power command profound reverence. This isn't terror, but a holy dread born from encountering perfect power and purity. Finally, being "doing wonders" means His transcendence isn't passive; He actively demonstrates His uniqueness through extraordinary, miraculous deeds that transform history, directly challenging and subverting the false powers. The Red Sea miracle perfectly exemplifies all these facets: glorious in His decisive judgment, holy in His righteous cause, fearful in His overwhelming power over Pharaoh, and undeniably doing a great wonder for His people. This verse compels us to acknowledge God as sovereign over all, worthy of ultimate worship and trust because of who He is and what He has done.