(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
You reached out with your right hand: the earth swallowed them.
You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them up.
Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, The earth swallowed them.
Thou stretchedst out{H5186} thy right hand{H3225}, the earth{H776} swallowed{H1104} them.
Exodus 15:12 is part of the Song of Moses, an ancient Hebrew poem that celebrates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This verse specifically references the climactic moment when the Israelites, led by Moses, cross the Red Sea, and the pursuing Egyptian army is drowned.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Power:** The verse emphasizes God's might, as He stretches out His right hand, symbolizing divine intervention and strength.
2. **Deliverance:** It reflects the theme of God saving His people from their enemies, a recurring motif in the Bible.
3. **Judgment:** The verse also highlights God's judgment against the Egyptians, who represent oppressive forces against God's chosen people.
4. **Faith and Trust:** The Israelites' escape across the Red Sea is a testament to their faith in God's promises and His power to save.
**Historical Context:**
The event celebrated in Exodus 15 occurred during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, which is traditionally dated around the late 2nd millennium BCE (c. 13th century BCE). The crossing of the Red Sea is seen as the pivotal moment when the Israelites' liberation became definitive, as the Egyptian military—the most powerful force of the time—was miraculously defeated.
This event solidified the Israelites' belief in Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and in Moses as His chosen leader. It also set the stage for the next phase of their journey: the wilderness wanderings and the eventual arrival in the Promised Land.
The Song of Moses itself is one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry in the Bible and reflects the ancient Israelite tradition of celebrating and memorializing significant events through song and worship.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)