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Exodus 15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Exodus 15
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)
V. The Journey in the Wilderness to Sinai
At Marah and Elim. 22 (G)Then Moses led Israel forward from the Red Sea,[f] and they marched out to the wilderness of Shur. After traveling for three days through the wilderness without finding water, 23 they arrived at Marah, where they could not drink its water, because it was too bitter. Hence this place was called Marah. 24 As the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 he cried out to the Lord, who pointed out to him a piece of wood. When he threw it into the water, the water became fresh.(H)
It was here that God, in making statutes and ordinances for them, put them to the test. 26 He said: If you listen closely to the voice of the Lord, your God, and do what is right in his eyes: if you heed his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases with which I afflicted the Egyptians;(I) for I, the Lord, am your healer.
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.(J)
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.
- 15:22 Red Sea: see note on Ex 15:4.
Exodus 15
Het Boek
Exodus 15
Het Boek
Het lied van Mozes
15 Mozes en de andere Israëlieten zongen toen dit lied voor de Here:
‘Ik wil een lied voor de Here zingen, want Hij heeft een machtige overwinning behaald. De ruiters en de paarden wierp Hij in de zee.
2 De Here geeft mij kracht en een reden om te zingen. Hij heeft mij laten overwinnen. Hij is mijn God en ik zal Hem prijzen, Hij is mijn vaders God en ik zal Hem verheerlijken.
3 De Here is een oorlogsheld, zijn naam is Here.
4 De wagens en het leger van de farao liet Hij in de zee vergaan, de beroemde strijders verdronken.
5 Golven bedekten hen, terwijl zij als een steen naar de bodem zonken.
6 Uw rechterhand, Here, heeft een enorme kracht, uw rechterhand vernietigde onze vijand.
7 In uw majesteit vaagde U allen weg die tegen U durfden op te staan, uw toorn was als een vuur dat stro verbrandt.
8 De adem van uw neus stuwde wateren op en zij rezen op als muren langs ons pad. Het woelige water kwam midden in zee tot stilstand.
9 De vijand zei: “Ik achtervolg hen, versla hen en grijp de buit. Ik sla hen uiteen en dood hen met mijn zwaard.”
10 U blies met uw adem en de zee bedekte hen, zij zonken als lood in de machtige wateren.
11 Wie onder de goden is gelijk aan de Here, wie is zo heerlijk en heilig als U, bewonderenswaardig in roemrijke daden, niet te volgen in wonderlijk doen en laten?
12 U stak uw hand uit en de aarde slokte hen op.
13 In uw liefdevolle goedheid leidde U het verloste volk met uw kracht naar het heilige land.
14 Andere volken hoorden het en zij beefden van schrik, de angst sloeg de bewoners van Filistea om het hart.
15 Edoms stamhoofden schrokken, de machtigen van Moab huiverden van schrik, de bewoners van Kanaän sidderden.
16 Ontzetting en schrik overviel hen, zij versteenden, terwijl wij ongehinderd door hun land trokken. Wij—het volk dat U Zich hebt verworven—trokken veilig verder.
17 U brengt hen binnen en plant hen op de berg die U hebt beloofd, de plaats waar U thuis bent, Here, het heiligdom dat U hebt gesticht.
18 De Here zal voor altijd en eeuwig regeren.’
19 De paarden, ruiters en wagens van de farao achtervolgden ons door de zee, maar de Here liet de muren van water op hen vallen, terwijl het volk Israël over het droge pad ging.
20 Toen pakte de profetes Mirjam, de zuster van Aäron, haar tamboerijn en ging de andere vrouwen voor in een vrolijke reidans.
21 Mirjam zong dit lied:
‘Ik zing een lied voor de Here, want Hij heeft een machtige overwinning behaald, de ruiters en de paarden stortte Hij in zee.’
22 Toen liet Mozes de Israëlieten bij de Rietzee opbreken en zij trokken verder naar de woestijn Sur. Drie dagen lang trokken zij door die woestijn zonder water te vinden. 23 Zij kwamen aan in Mara, maar konden het water daar niet drinken omdat het bitter was. Daarom noemden zij die plaats ook Mara (Bitter). 24 Het volk keerde zich als één man tegen Mozes en zei: ‘Waar halen wij nu water vandaan?’ 25 Mozes vroeg hulp aan de Here en de Here wees hem een stuk hout aan, Mozes wierp het in het water en het werd zoet. Daar bij Mara legde de Here een aantal regels aan het volk op om te zien hoever hun toewijding ging. Hij zei: 26 ‘Als u naar de stem van de Here, uw God, luistert, Hem gehoorzaamt en doet wat recht is in zijn ogen, zal Ik u niet laten lijden onder de straffen die Ik de Egyptenaren heb gegeven. Want Ik, de Here, ben uw Heelmeester.’
27 Daarna kwamen zij in Elim, een plaats met twaalf waterbronnen en zeventig palmbomen. Daar sloegen zij hun kamp op bij het water.
Exodus 15
New International Version
Exodus 15
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:
“Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver(BI)
he has hurled into the sea.”(BJ)
The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert(BK) of Shur.(BL) For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.(BM) 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[f](BN)) 24 So the people grumbled(BO) against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”(BP)
25 Then Moses cried out(BQ) to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw(BR) it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.(BS) 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep(BT) all his decrees,(BU) I will not bring on you any of the diseases(BV) I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals(BW) you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped(BX) there near the water.
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
- Exodus 15:23 Marah means bitter.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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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.