Exodus 15 4

Exodus 15:4 kjv

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

Exodus 15:4 nkjv

Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:4 niv

Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:4 esv

"Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:4 nlt

Pharaoh's chariots and army
he has hurled into the sea.
The finest of Pharaoh's officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 4 Meaning

Exodus 15:4 declares God's decisive act of judgment against Pharaoh and his mighty military force. It states that the chariots, the army, and specifically their choicest officers were utterly cast into and drowned in the Red Sea. This verse marks the completion and finality of God's victory over the oppressor of Israel.

Exodus 15 4 Context

Exodus chapter 15 records "The Song of Moses and the Children of Israel" to the Lord, sung immediately after their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army. The chapter expresses exuberant praise, thanksgiving, and awe for God's mighty deliverance. Verse 4 serves as a declarative statement, summarizing the pivotal act of judgment God performed, which completely secured Israel's freedom. Historically, ancient Egypt was the dominant power in the region, boasting advanced military technology, especially chariots, which were fearsome weapons of war. Pharaoh was considered a divine being, the incarnation of a god (often Ra or Horus). The complete obliteration of his elite forces by the very sea challenges and shatters these claims of power and divinity, clearly demonstrating the absolute supremacy of the Lord, the God of Israel, over all human and false divine authorities. This defeat was not merely a military loss but a profound theological refutation of Egypt's gods.

Exodus 15 4 Word analysis

• Pharaoh's: Refers to the reigning monarch of Egypt, a figure of ultimate worldly power and symbol of oppressive tyranny.
• chariots: (Hebrew: רֶכֶב, rekhev). Symbolized advanced military technology and might in the ancient world. They represented speed, striking power, and a key element of Egypt's army. The destruction of these chariots signifies the shattering of human technological superiority against divine power.
• and his army: (Hebrew: חֵילֹו, kheilo). Encompasses all the fighting forces, emphasizing the collective might and large numbers deployed by Pharaoh. The totality of their military machine was involved and overcome.
• he has cast: (Hebrew: יָרָה, yarah). A strong, active verb implying a forceful, decisive hurling or throwing down. It emphasizes God's direct and intentional action, not a passive sinking. God Himself is the agent of their downfall.
• into the sea: (Hebrew: יַם-סוּף, Yam Suph, meaning "Sea of Reeds" or "Red Sea"). The very body of water that once served as a pathway for Israel now became the grave for Egypt. This highlights God's dominion over creation.
• and his chosen officers: (Hebrew: מִבְחַר שָׁלִשָׁיו, mivchar shalishav). Mivchar means "choicest," "finest," or "elite." Shalishav (from shalish) can refer to a "third man," a "chariot warrior" (who would be one of three in a chariot), or more generally, "captain," "commander," or "elite warrior." The specific mention of "chosen officers" or "elite captains" underscores the completeness of the victory – not just common soldiers, but the very best, the most skilled and powerful of Pharaoh's forces, were destroyed. This signifies that no aspect of Egypt's strength, however formidable, could stand against the Lord.
• are sunk: (Hebrew: טָבַע, tava'). Implies being submerged, drowned, overwhelmed by the waters. This describes the absolute and permanent nature of their defeat; they were engulfed without possibility of escape or survival.
• in the Red Sea: Repetition for emphasis, confirming the specific location of the decisive divine judgment. The location reinforces the miracle witnessed by Israel.

Words-group analysis

• Pharaoh's chariots and his army: This phrase highlights the visible and formidable aspects of Egyptian power – their military technology (chariots) and their sheer numbers (army). It represents the height of human might arrayed against God.
• he has cast... and... are sunk: This contrasting pair of verbs ("cast" - active, deliberate divine action; "sunk" - passive, outcome of the action) demonstrates God's initiative in bringing about their doom and the finality of their defeat.
• chosen officers are sunk in the Red Sea: The particular focus on the "chosen officers" signifies the destruction of Egypt's leadership, expertise, and pride. Their demise underscores that God's judgment targets the core of the enemy's strength, ensuring a comprehensive and irreparable defeat.

Exodus 15 4 Bonus section

The imagery of water swallowing the enemy is recurrent in biblical literature, often depicting divine judgment overwhelming evil. This event became a foundational narrative for Israel's identity, frequently recalled in Psalms and prophetic books as a reminder of God's unmatched power and faithfulness. The Red Sea incident serves as a foundational "type" or shadow, prefiguring later acts of God's salvation and judgment. For example, it provides a backdrop for understanding the New Testament concept of salvation through Christ's triumph over sin and death, which is a new Exodus, where Christ descends to overcome the powers that hold humanity captive. The drowning of Pharaoh's army also represents God's decisive act against cosmic rebellion and the powers of chaos.

Exodus 15 4 Commentary

Exodus 15:4 is a powerful declaration embedded within the Song of the Sea, serving as a climactic summary of God's act of deliverance and judgment at the Red Sea. It is a concise, poetic assertion of the complete and decisive victory of the Lord over the mightiest human empire of its time. The mention of Pharaoh's "chariots and his army" acknowledges the formidable nature of the adversary, not diminishing their perceived strength but elevating God's power that overcame them. The phrase "he has cast into the sea" emphasizes God's direct and intentional intervention; this was no accident or natural phenomenon, but a deliberate act of divine judgment. The specificity of "his chosen officers" highlights the utter annihilation of Egypt's elite, their most skilled warriors, signaling a truly comprehensive and irrecoverable defeat. The Red Sea, a barrier to Israel, became an instrument of salvation and a tomb for their oppressors. This verse proclaims God's supremacy over all worldly power, His justice against oppression, and His absolute control over creation. It establishes the Lord as the triumphant Warrior King who powerfully delivers His people.