Exodus 15

Exodus 15

The big picture

Exodus 15 opens in verse 1 with “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD , and spake, saying…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of…”, and closes in verse 27 with “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, waters, hand, people, right. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Exodus · King James Version · 27

Exodus 15:1-7

1–7: Sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD , and…

Exodus 15:1–7 opens with “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD , and spake, saying, I will…” and reaches “And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, become, hand.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD , and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD …” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

Exodus 15:1-7

King James Version

1Then 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.

2The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6Thy right hand, O LORD , is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD , hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

Exodus 15:8-14

8–14: With the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the…

Exodus 15:8–14 opens with “And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright…” and reaches “The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by hand, people, waters.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blast, congealed, depths. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

Exodus 15:8-14

King James Version

8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11Who is like unto thee, O LORD , among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

Exodus 15:15-21

15–21: The dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling…

Exodus 15:15–21 opens with “Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon…” and reaches “And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD , for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, horse, Miriam.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD , which thou hast…” Naming Sanctuary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Exodus 15:15-21

King James Version

15Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD , till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD , which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

19For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21And 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 15:22-27

22–27: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the…

Exodus 15:22–27 opens with “So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and…” and reaches “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, waters, Marah.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of…” Naming Marah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Exodus 15:22-27

King James Version

22So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25And he cried unto the LORD ; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

27And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Details worth noticing

27verses in this reading
4major movements
5verses with speech
2questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Exodus 15:1 begins with “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…”

Where the chapter turns

Exodus 15:15 forms a natural hinge: “Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.”

The final note

Exodus 15:27 leaves the reader with “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words LORD, waters, hand, people, right, horse help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

What is Abram invited to trust?

God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.

Why does the delay matter?

The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.

KJV words made clear

unto
to
thee
you
thou
you
thy
your
hath
has

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.