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Exodus 15:1-21
English Standard Version
Exodus 15:1-21
English Standard Version
The Song of Moses
15 Then Moses and the people of Israel (A)sang this song to the Lord, saying,
(B)“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider[a] he has thrown into the sea.
2 (C)The Lord is my strength and my (D)song,
and he has become (E)my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
(F)my father's God, and (G)I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is (H)a man of war;
(I)the Lord is his name.
4 (J)“Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen (K)officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
5 The (L)floods covered them;
they (M)went down into the depths like a stone.
6 (N)Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
your right hand, O Lord, (O)shatters the enemy.
7 In the (P)greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it (Q)consumes them like stubble.
8 At the (R)blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the (S)floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, (T)‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I (U)will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
10 You (V)blew with your wind; the (W)sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 (X)“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in (Y)glorious deeds, (Z)doing wonders?
12 You stretched out (AA)your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.
13 “You have (AB)led in your steadfast love the people whom (AC)you have redeemed;
you have (AD)guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
14 (AE)The peoples have heard; they tremble;
pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Now are the chiefs of Edom (AF)dismayed;
trembling seizes the leaders of (AG)Moab;
(AH)all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
16 Terror and (AI)dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still (AJ)as a stone,
till your people, O Lord, pass by,
till the people pass by whom (AK)you have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and (AL)plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
(AM)the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
18 (AN)The Lord will reign forever and ever.”
19 For when (AO)the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, (AP)the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then (AQ)Miriam (AR)the prophetess, the (AS)sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and (AT)all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them:
(AU)“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
Footnotes
- Exodus 15:1 Or its chariot; also verse 21
Exodus 15:1-21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Exodus 15:1-21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 15
1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang(A) this song to the Lord:[a]
I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
2 My strength and my refuge is the Lord,
and he has become my savior.(B)
This is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
3 The Lord is a warrior,
Lord is his name!
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were drowned in the Red Sea.[b]
5 The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.(C)
6 Your right hand, O Lord, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.
7 In your great majesty you overthrew your adversaries;
you loosed your wrath to consume them like stubble.
8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters foamed in the midst of the sea.
9 The enemy boasted, “I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand will despoil them!”
10 When you blew with your breath, the sea covered them;
like lead they sank in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like you among the gods, O Lord?
Who is like you, magnificent among the holy ones?
Awe-inspiring in deeds of renown, worker of wonders,
12 when you stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them!
13 In your love[c] you led the people you redeemed;
in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling.
14 The peoples heard and quaked;
anguish gripped the dwellers in Philistia.
15 Then were the chieftains of Edom dismayed,
the nobles of Moab seized by trembling;
All the inhabitants of Canaan melted away;
16 (D)terror and dread fell upon them.
By the might of your arm they became silent like stone,
while your people, Lord, passed over,
while the people whom you created passed over.[d]
17 You brought them in, you planted them
on the mountain that is your own—
The place you made the base of your throne, Lord,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
18 May the Lord reign forever and ever!
19 When Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen entered the sea, the Lord made the waters of the sea flow back upon them, though the Israelites walked on dry land through the midst of the sea.(E) 20 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing; 21 and she responded[e] to them:
Sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.(F)
Footnotes
- 15:1–21
This poem, regarded by many scholars as one of the oldest compositions in the Bible, was once an independent work. It has been inserted at this important juncture in the large narrative of Exodus to celebrate God’s saving power, having miraculously delivered the people from their enemies, and ultimately leading them to the promised land.
Although the victory it describes over the Egyptians at the sea bears a superficial resemblance in v. 8 to the preceding depiction of the water standing like a wall (14:22), the poem (as opposed to the following prose verse, v. 19) suggests a different version of the victory at sea than that found in chap. 14. There is no splitting of the sea in an act reminiscent of the Lord’s combat at creation with the sea monsters Rahab and Leviathan (Jb 9:13; 26:12; Ps 74:13–14; 89:11; Is 51:9–10); nor is there mention of an east wind driving the waters back so that the Israelites can cross. In this version it is by means of a storm at sea, caused by a ferocious blast from his nostrils, that the Lord achieves a decisive victory against Pharaoh and his army (vv. 1–12). The second half of the poem (vv. 13–18) describes God’s guidance into the promised land.
- 15:4 Red Sea: the traditional translation of the Hebrew yam suph, which actually means “Sea of Reeds” or “reedy sea.” The location is uncertain, though in view of the route taken by the Israelites from Egypt to Sinai, it could not have been the Red Sea, which is too far south. It was probably a smaller body of water south of the Gulf of Suez. The term occurs also in Exodus at 10:19; 13:18; and 23:31.
- 15:13 Love: the very important Hebrew term hesed carries a variety of nuances depending on context: love, kindness, faithfulness. It is often rendered “steadfast love.” It implies a relationship that generates an obligation and therefore is at home in a covenant context. Cf. 20:6.
- 15:16 Passed over: an allusion to the crossing of the Jordan River (cf. Jos 3–5), written as if the entry into the promised land had already occurred. This verse suggests that at one time there was a ritual enactment of the conquest at a shrine near the Jordan River which included also a celebration of the victory at the sea.
- 15:21 She responded: Miriam’s refrain echoes the first verse of this song and was probably sung as an antiphon after each verse.
Exodus 15:1-21
New American Standard Bible
Exodus 15:1-21
New American Standard Bible
The Song of Moses and Israel
15 (A)Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, [a]saying:
“[b](B)I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted;
(C)The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.
2 [c](D)The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
(E)This is my God, and I will praise Him;
(F)My father’s God, and I will (G)exalt Him.
3 (H)The Lord is a warrior;
[d](I)The Lord is His name.
4 (J)Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has thrown into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers are [e]drowned in the [f]Red Sea.
5 The waters cover them;
(K)They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 (L)Your right hand, Lord, is majestic in power;
(M)Your right hand, Lord, destroys the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of Your [g]excellence You (N)overthrow those who rise up against You;
(O)You send out Your burning anger, and it (P)consumes them like chaff.
8 (Q)At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up,
(R)The flowing waters stood up like a heap;
The depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 (S)The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will (T)divide the spoils;
[h]I shall [i]be satisfied against them;
I will draw my sword, my hand will [j]destroy them.’
10 (U)You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them;
(V)They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 (W)Who is like You among the gods, Lord?
Who is like You, (X)majestic in holiness,
(Y)Awesome in praises, (Z)working wonders?
12 (AA)You reached out with Your right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
13 In Your [k]faithfulness You have (AB)led the people whom You have (AC)redeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them (AD)to Your holy habitation.
14 (AE)The peoples have heard, they tremble;
Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the (AF)chiefs of Edom were terrified;
(AG)The leaders of Moab, trembling grips them;
(AH)All the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired.
16 (AI)Terror and dread fall upon them;
(AJ)By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone,
Until Your people pass over, Lord,
Until the people pass over whom You (AK)have purchased.
17 (AL)You will bring them and (AM)plant them in (AN)the mountain of Your inheritance,
(AO)The place, Lord, which You have made as Your dwelling,
(AP)The sanctuary, Lord, which Your hands have established.
18 (AQ)The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”
19 (AR)For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the sons of Israel walked on (AS)dry land through the midst of the sea.
20 (AT)Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the (AU)tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with [l](AV)dancing. 21 And Miriam answered them,
“(AW)Sing to the Lord, for He [m]is highly exalted;
The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”
Footnotes
- Exodus 15:1 Lit and said, saying
- Exodus 15:1 Or Let me sing
- Exodus 15:2 Heb Yah
- Exodus 15:3 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
- Exodus 15:4 Lit sunk
- Exodus 15:4 Lit Sea of Reeds
- Exodus 15:7 Or exaltation
- Exodus 15:9 Lit My soul
- Exodus 15:9 Lit be filled with them
- Exodus 15:9 Or dispossess; or drive them out
- Exodus 15:13 Or mercy
- Exodus 15:20 Lit dances
- Exodus 15:21 Or has triumphed gloriously
Exodus 15:1-21
New International Version
Exodus 15:1-21
New International Version
The Song of Moses and Miriam
15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song(A) to the Lord:
“I will sing(B) to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver(C)
he has hurled into the sea.(D)
2 “The Lord is my strength(E) and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.(F)
He is my God,(G) and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt(H) him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;(I)
the Lord is his name.(J)
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army(K)
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.[b]
5 The deep waters(L) have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.(M)
6 Your right hand,(N) Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand,(O) Lord,
shattered(P) the enemy.
7 “In the greatness of your majesty(Q)
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;(R)
it consumed(S) them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils(T)
the waters piled up.(U)
The surging waters stood up like a wall;(V)
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.(W)
9 The enemy boasted,
‘I will pursue,(X) I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;(Y)
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath,(Z)
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.(AA)
11 Who among the gods
is like you,(AB) Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,(AC)
awesome in glory,(AD)
working wonders?(AE)
12 “You stretch out(AF) your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.(AG)
13 In your unfailing love you will lead(AH)
the people you have redeemed.(AI)
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.(AJ)
14 The nations will hear and tremble;(AK)
anguish(AL) will grip the people of Philistia.(AM)
15 The chiefs(AN) of Edom(AO) will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,(AP)
the people[c] of Canaan will melt(AQ) away;
16 terror(AR) and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone(AS)—
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought[d](AT) pass by.(AU)
17 You will bring(AV) them in and plant(AW) them
on the mountain(AX) of your inheritance—
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,(AY)
the sanctuary,(AZ) Lord, your hands established.
18 “The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.”(BA)
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen[e] went into the sea,(BB) the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.(BC) 20 Then Miriam(BD) the prophet,(BE) Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels(BF) and dancing.(BG) 21 Miriam sang(BH) to them:
Footnotes
- Exodus 15:2 Or song
- Exodus 15:4 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 22
- Exodus 15:15 Or rulers
- Exodus 15:16 Or created
- Exodus 15:19 Or charioteers
English Standard Version (ESV) 
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New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.