Exodus 15 12

Exodus 15:12 kjv

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Exodus 15:12 nkjv

You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them.

Exodus 15:12 niv

"You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies.

Exodus 15:12 esv

You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.

Exodus 15:12 nlt

You raised your right hand,
and the earth swallowed our enemies.

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 12 meaning

Exodus 15:12, a triumphant declaration within the Song of the Sea, attributes Israel's miraculous deliverance and the swift destruction of their Egyptian pursuers entirely to Yahweh's immediate and overwhelming power. It speaks to the sudden and definitive nature of God's judgment. The "right hand" symbolizes His invincible strength and the act of "swallowing" by the earth (here, the returning Red Sea waters) signifies a complete and decisive engulfment of the enemy.

Exodus 15 12 Context

This verse is part of the "Song of the Sea" (Exod 15:1-18), sung by Moses and the Israelites immediately after their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the complete annihilation of Pharaoh's army. It is a spontaneous and heartfelt hymn of praise, acknowledging Yahweh as the sole deliverer and mighty warrior. The entire chapter serves as Israel's initial liturgical response to God's salvation, affirming His absolute power and distinctiveness. Historically, this event solidified Israel's identity as a people delivered by a unique and all-powerful God, marking a crucial moment in their covenant relationship. Culturally, the song contrasts Yahweh's effective power with the impotence of the numerous Egyptian gods, who were believed to control elements like water, sky, and even the pharaoh's life force. This hymn declares Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty over creation and rulers, a direct polemic against the polytheistic beliefs of Egypt and surrounding nations.

Exodus 15 12 Word analysis

• You stretched out (נָטִיתָ - natita):
  • From the Hebrew verb נָטָה (natah), meaning "to stretch out," "extend," "incline."
  • Signifies a deliberate, direct, and powerful action from God. It's not passive, but an active exertion of His will and might.
  • The second-person singular indicates direct address to Yahweh, emphasizing His personal involvement.
• Your right hand (יְמִינְךָ - yeminkha):
  • "Right hand" is yamin in Hebrew.
  • Throughout ancient Near Eastern cultures, and especially in the Bible, the right hand symbolizes strength, power, authority, decisive action, and victory. It is the hand of might, effective power, and triumph.
  • Its invocation here means God didn't need elaborate tools or long processes; His sheer inherent power, symbolized by His "right hand," was sufficient and swift.
  • It also carries judicial authority; a divine hand stretched out can also signify judgment.
• the earth swallowed them (תִּבְלָעֵמוֹ אָרֶץ - tivla'emo aretz):
  • swallowed them (תִּבְלָעֵמוֹ - tivla'emo): From the verb בָּלַע (bala'), "to swallow," "engulf," "consume," "devour."
    • Describes a total, irreversible, and quick disappearance, implying absolute destruction.
    • This rapid engulfment contrasts with human warfare, where defeat might involve flight or capture. Here, it is total obliteration.
  • earth (אָרֶץ - aretz): Can mean "earth," "land," or even the "underworld" (Sheol) in some contexts.
    • In this specific context, while literally "earth," it refers to the watery abyss of the Red Sea which returned to cover the Egyptians. Poetically, it personifies creation itself as an active participant in God's judgment, as if the very ground or sea-bed consumed the enemy.
    • This personification emphasizes that even the elements obey Yahweh's command, delivering His justice.
• Phrase analysis: "You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them."
  • This is a two-part parallelism, common in Hebrew poetry. The first part describes God's action ("stretched out Your right hand") as the cause, and the second ("The earth swallowed them") as the effect, yet also God's direct act, achieved through His control over creation.
  • It succinctly highlights divine causation and environmental execution of judgment.
  • The speed implied by the simple verbs "stretched out" and "swallowed" emphasizes the sudden and decisive end to Pharaoh's threat.

Exodus 15 12 Bonus section

The Hebrew poetry of the Song of the Sea, particularly in this verse, exhibits remarkable terseness, packing profound theological truth into few words. This economy of language amplifies the dramatic nature of the divine intervention. The active role attributed to "the earth" (or water) in swallowing the enemies serves as a theological statement about the unified creation obeying the Creator's will, effectively dispelling any pagan notions that natural forces operated independently or were controlled by lesser deities. The defeat of Egypt's military might by an outstretched divine hand and consuming waters serves as a preeminent type of God's future victories over all spiritual and physical adversaries, culminating in the triumph of His Anointed One.

Exodus 15 12 Commentary

Exodus 15:12 stands as a powerful, concise declaration of God's immediate and absolute supremacy. The verse is remarkably direct, using minimal words to convey maximum impact. "You stretched out Your right hand" points to Yahweh's personal, decisive, and overwhelming power, which alone secured victory. The right hand, an enduring biblical symbol of strength, indicates not merely physical force, but divine authority that overcomes all resistance. The consequence of this divine action is instantaneous: "The earth swallowed them." This personification of "earth" (referring to the returning Red Sea waters) demonstrates God's mastery over creation. The very elements become His agents of judgment, consuming the enemy completely. This highlights God's unique ability to fight for His people not through conventional warfare, but through the irresistible force of His nature. The verse is a core expression of theological triumph, showing that no force, no army, can stand against the power of the living God when He acts to deliver His chosen.