Exodus 15:8-10
New English Translation
8 By the blast of your nostrils[a] the waters were piled up,
the flowing water stood upright like a heap,[b]
and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will chase,[c] I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
my desire[d] will be satisfied on them.
I will draw[e] my sword, my hand will destroy them.’[f]
10 But[g] you blew with your breath, and[h] the sea covered them.
They sank[i] like lead in the mighty waters.
Footnotes
- Exodus 15:8 sn The phrase “the blast of your nostrils” is a bold anthropomorphic expression for the wind that came in and dried up the water.
- Exodus 15:8 tn The word “heap” describes the walls of water. The waters, which are naturally fluid, stood up as though they were a heap, a mound of earth. Likewise, the flowing waters deep in the ocean solidified—as though they were turned to ice (U. Cassuto, Exodus, 175).
- Exodus 15:9 sn W. C. Kaiser observes the staccato phrases that almost imitate the heavy, breathless heaving of the Egyptians as, with what reserve of strength they have left, they vow, “I will…, I will…, I will…” (“Exodus,” EBC 2:395).
- Exodus 15:9 tn The form is נַפְשִׁי (nafshi, “my soul”). But this word refers to the whole person, the body and the soul, or better, a bundle of appetites in a body. It therefore can figuratively refer to the desires or appetites (Deut 12:15; 14:26; 23:24). Here, with the verb “to be full” means “to be satisfied”; the whole expression might indicate “I will be sated with them” or “I will gorge myself.” The greedy appetite was to destroy.
- Exodus 15:9 tn The verb רִיק (riq) means “to be empty” in the Qal, and in the Hiphil “to empty.” Here the idea is to unsheathe a sword.
- Exodus 15:9 tn The verb is יָרַשׁ (yarash), which in the Hiphil means “to dispossess” or “root out.” The meaning “destroy” is a general interpretation.
- Exodus 15:10 tn “But” has been supplied here.
- Exodus 15:10 tn Here “and” has been supplied.
- Exodus 15:10 tn The verb may have the idea of sinking with a gurgling sound, like water going into a whirlpool (R. A. Cole, Exodus [TOTC], 124; S. R. Driver, Exodus, 136). See F. M. Cross and D. N. Freedman, “The Song of Miriam,” JNES 14 (1955): 243-47.
Exodus 15:8-10
King James Version
8 And 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.
9 The 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.
10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
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Exodus 15:8-10
New King James Version
8 And (A)with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
(B)The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths [a]congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 (C)The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will (D)divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Footnotes
- Exodus 15:8 became firm
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