Exodus 15 21

Exodus 15:21 kjv

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:21 nkjv

And Miriam answered them: "Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!"

Exodus 15:21 niv

Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea."

Exodus 15:21 esv

And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."

Exodus 15:21 nlt

And Miriam sang this song: "Sing to the LORD,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea."

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 21 Meaning

Exodus 15:21 is a succinct and powerful refrain, echoing the "Song of the Sea." It serves as Miriam's call to the women of Israel, and implicitly to all, to worship Yahweh. It emphasizes God's majestic and complete triumph over Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, portraying Him as the supreme Warrior-King who single-handedly defeated the greatest military force of that era.

Exodus 15 21 Context

Exodus 15:21 marks the climax of Israel's first great communal worship experience following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. After witnessing God part the Red Sea, allow them safe passage, and then collapse the waters on Pharaoh's pursuing army, Moses led the men in an extensive song of praise (Exo 15:1-19). Verse 20 introduces Miriam, the prophetess, taking a leading role among the women, with timbrels and dances. Verse 21 is her direct, antiphonal response to the main song, encapsulating its core message of divine triumph and serving as a concise summary and communal refrain for the women. This pivotal moment solidifies their understanding of Yahweh as the omnipotent Deliverer and establishes a paradigm for praising God in response to His saving acts.

Exodus 15 21 Word analysis

• And Miriam answered them,

  • And: (וַ) A conjunction connecting this verse immediately to Miriam's introduction in Exo 15:20, signifying continuity and an immediate reaction.
  • Miriam: (מִרְיָם) The first woman identified as a prophetess in the Bible (Exo 15:20). Moses and Aaron's older sister. Her name implies leadership, and here she facilitates corporate worship.
  • answered them: (וַתַּעַן לָהֶם) Implies a responsive singing, an echo to the "Song of the Sea" led by Moses. This indicates an antiphonal style of worship, common in ancient Near Eastern rituals and Israelite traditions. It suggests a call-and-response dynamic, where the women’s chorus reiterates the main theme.

• Sing to the Lord,

  • Sing: (שִׁירוּ) An imperative verb, plural. It is a direct command and invitation for collective, outward expression of worship. This act is not optional but a fundamental response to God's saving power.
  • to the Lord: (לַיהוָה) Designates the sole object of their praise: Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Their praise is directed specifically to Him, emphasizing His divine agency in the miracle.

• for he has triumphed gloriously;

  • for: (כִּי) A causal conjunction, introducing the reason for the command to sing. Praise is based on God's character and actions.
  • he has triumphed gloriously: (גָּאָה גָּאָה) A highly significant phrase. The root (ga'ah) means "to be high, to be exalted." The repetition (infinitive absolute) intensely emphasizes the magnitude of God's victory and self-exaltation: "He has become exceedingly exalted," "He has magnificently triumphed." It points to an overwhelming display of divine power and majesty that leaves no doubt about His supremacy. This demonstrates God achieving overwhelming ascendancy.

• the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

  • the horse and his rider: (סוּס וְרֹכְבוֹ) A metonymy representing the full might of the Egyptian military machine: its chariots, cavalry, and personnel. This was the most fearsome military force of the ancient world. It encapsulates the peak of human power opposing God's plan.
  • he has thrown: (רָמָה) From the root (ramah), meaning "to cast, hurl, throw down." This vivid verb describes God's deliberate, forceful, and complete destruction of the enemy. It wasn't accidental but an act of sovereign power.
  • into the sea: (בַיָּם) Refers to the Red Sea (Yam Suph), the very instrument of their salvation and of their enemies' destruction. The sea, often symbolizing chaos, here submits entirely to Yahweh's will, serving as the agent of judgment.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Miriam answered them": Establishes a key moment in the history of Israelite worship, showing Miriam's prophetic leadership and the inclusion of women in communal, expressive worship. It sets up an antiphonal exchange, indicating responsive praise.
• "Sing to the Lord": This simple imperative carries profound theological weight, commanding communal praise directed solely towards God. It transforms passive witnessing into active, vocal adoration, laying a foundational practice for future Israelite and Christian worship.
• "for he has triumphed gloriously": This core theological statement articulates the ultimate reason for worship. It highlights Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy, emphasizing His victory not just as a historical event but as a revelation of His exalted nature and irresistible power. It declares God's divine glory displayed in salvation.
• "the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea": This concise, vivid summary provides the tangible proof and concrete imagery of God's glorious triumph. It dramatically illustrates the utter demolition of Israel's mighty oppressors and Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over human power and the forces of nature, serving as an unshakeable testimony to His delivering strength.

Exodus 15 21 Bonus section

• Echo in Eschatology: The "Song of Moses" is explicitly referenced in Revelation (Rev 15:3-4), connecting Israel's past deliverance at the Red Sea to God's ultimate salvation and triumph over evil in the last days. This suggests an enduring theological significance, implying that future generations of believers, even at the consummation of history, will look back to this foundational event as a template for praising God's redemptive power.
• Polemics Against Egyptian Deities: The utter destruction of Pharaoh's forces, particularly his elite chariotry and horses, served as a powerful polemic against the gods of Egypt. Egyptian deities like Re-Horakhty and Seth were sometimes associated with horses or chariots, and Egypt's military might was seen as a reflection of its gods' power. By effortlessly dispatching their entire army into the sea, Yahweh decisively demonstrated His overwhelming supremacy over all false gods and their perceived strengths.
• Communal and Gender-Inclusive Worship: The roles of Moses (leading the men) and Miriam (leading the women) in this celebratory act highlight an early biblical example of both communal and gender-inclusive participation in worship and thanksgiving. This spontaneous response of both men and women sets a rich precedent for inclusive corporate worship in the covenant community.

Exodus 15 21 Commentary

Exodus 15:21 functions as the profound and collective summary of Israel’s foundational encounter with Yahweh as their deliverer at the Red Sea. Led by Miriam, a trailblazing female prophetess, the women spontaneously join in praise, forming an antiphonal response to the Song of Moses. This establishes a template for participatory, joyful worship in Israel. The double emphasis of "he has triumphed gloriously" underscores God's absolute and unmatched victory, a demonstration of His intrinsic nature and active power to exalt Himself through His saving acts. The subsequent declaration "the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea" provides the irrefutable evidence of this triumph. It is not a passive event but God’s active, forceful dismantling of the world's greatest military force, leaving no doubt about His supreme authority over all earthly powers and even over creation itself. This verse encapsulates the theological essence of the Exodus: God alone is capable of such salvation, and therefore, God alone deserves all praise. It sets a precedent for remembering God's mighty deeds and responding with corporate praise and heartfelt worship for His acts of salvation throughout history.