Exodus 14:28

KJV

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, [and] all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the waters {H4325} returned {H7725}, and covered {H3680} the chariots {H7393}, and the horsemen {H6571}, and all the host {H2428} of Pharaoh {H6547} that came {H935} into the sea {H3220} after {H310} them; there remained {H7604} not so much as {H5704} one {H259} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The water came back and covered all the chariots and cavalry of Pharaoh's army who had followed them into the sea -not even one of them was left.

Berean Standard Bible

The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

American Standard Version

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, even all the host of Pharaoh that went in after them into the sea; there remained not so much as one of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 14:28 powerfully narrates the complete and decisive destruction of Pharaoh's pursuing army as the Red Sea waters returned, engulfing their chariots and horsemen. This climactic event definitively secures the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and seals God's righteous judgment against their oppressors, marking a pivotal moment in salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic culmination of the Red Sea narrative, immediately following the miraculous crossing of the Israelites on dry ground in [Exodus 14:21-25](/exodus/14-21-25 "Israel's Miraculous Red Sea Crossing") and the Egyptians' ill-fated pursuit into the seabed. It provides a conclusive statement on the fate of Pharaoh's army, fulfilling the divine promise of judgment against Egypt and ensuring Israel's definitive escape. The verse directly precedes the triumphant [Song of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "The Song of Moses and Miriam"), which celebrates God's awesome power and victory, making this verse the final, decisive act of deliverance that sets the stage for praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, after centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt, were led out by Moses under the direct command of Yahweh. Despite the ten devastating plagues that demonstrated God's supremacy over the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh, the stubborn Egyptian king pursued the newly freed slaves with his elite military, trapping them at the Red Sea. This event is the ultimate demonstration of God's power over the most formidable empire of the ancient world, fulfilling His promise to deliver His people and judge their oppressors, thereby establishing Israel as a free and sovereign nation under His direct rule. The defeat of such a powerful army in this manner would have been an unparalleled historical and theological statement to both Israel and surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 14:28 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights God's **sovereignty** over creation and human affairs, demonstrating His ability to manipulate natural elements for His redemptive purposes, as seen in the parting and returning of the waters. It underscores His **faithfulness to His covenant promises** to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the liberation and protection of their descendants. Furthermore, it vividly portrays God's **righteous judgment** against oppression and rebellion, specifically against Pharaoh and Egypt's idolatry and cruelty. This event also serves as a foundational narrative for the theme of **divine deliverance**, setting a precedent for God's intervention on behalf of His people against seemingly insurmountable odds, a theme echoed throughout Israel's history, from the judges to the prophets, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **returned (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** (H7725) This verb signifies a turning back, a reversal, or a restoration to a former state. In this context, it emphasizes God's active and direct control over the natural elements. The waters did not merely flow back by natural processes but were commanded by divine will to their original, overwhelming state, precisely at the moment of the Egyptians' vulnerability. This highlights the intentionality of God's judgment.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** (H3680) This word denotes a complete overwhelming, submergence, or concealment. Its use here paints a vivid and absolute picture of the destruction. It implies that the Egyptian forces were not merely swept away or scattered, but utterly engulfed and hidden beneath the torrent, leaving no possibility of escape or survival. This underscores the totality and finality of God's judgment.
* **host (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** (H2428) While often translated as "army" or "host," this term encompasses a broader meaning of "force," "might," or "valor." It refers to the entire military strength and resources of Pharaoh that came into the sea. The use of `chayil` here emphasizes that the full might and elite forces of Egypt—their chariots, horsemen, and all their military resources—were completely annihilated, leaving no remnant of their formidable power.
* **one (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** (H259) This numeral signifies unity or singularity. In the phrase "there remained not so much as one of them," it powerfully emphasizes the absolute and total annihilation of Pharaoh's army. It signifies that not a single individual, not one soldier, not one chariot, survived to tell the tale or pose a future threat. This highlights the comprehensive and definitive nature of God's judgment and the thoroughness of His deliverance for Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen":** This opening clause describes the immediate and devastating action of the sea. It highlights God's sovereign control over creation, as the miraculously parted waters collapse back upon the pursuing Egyptian army. The specific mention of "chariots and horsemen" emphasizes the destruction of Egypt's elite military units, which were the vanguard of their power.
* **"[and] all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them":** This expands the scope of the judgment, clarifying that the destruction was not limited to a few, but encompassed the entirety of Pharaoh's military might that had dared to pursue Israel into the seabed. The phrase "after them" underscores the Egyptians' relentless and aggressive pursuit, making their demise a direct consequence of their defiance against God's chosen people.
* **"there remained not so much as one of them":** This conclusive statement delivers the powerful and definitive outcome. It emphasizes the utter and complete destruction of the Egyptian forces, signifying the definitive end of their threat to Israel. The hyperbole inherent in "not so much as one" ensures the reader understands the absolute finality of God's judgment and the thoroughness of His deliverance for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 14:28 is rich with literary artistry that amplifies its theological message. The most prominent device is **Hyperbole** in the phrase "there remained not so much as one of them." This exaggeration emphasizes the totality and completeness of the destruction, ensuring the reader grasps the absolute nature of God's judgment and Israel's definitive deliverance. The narrative also functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of divine judgment against oppression and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. The dramatic reversal of the waters, from a path of salvation for Israel to an instrument of destruction for Egypt, is a profound instance of **Irony**, demonstrating God's absolute **Sovereignty** over nature and His ability to turn the very elements of creation into agents of His will. The **Repetition** of the theme of "covering" or "engulfing" throughout the broader narrative (e.g., [Exodus 15:10](/exodus/15-10 "The earth swallowed them")) reinforces the completeness of the Egyptians' demise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 14:28 is a foundational passage illustrating God's attributes of divine deliverance, righteous judgment, and absolute sovereignty. It demonstrates unequivocally that God actively intervenes in history to save His people from impossible situations and to bring justice upon those who oppose His will and oppress His chosen ones. This event served as a powerful testimony to both Israel and the surrounding nations of Yahweh's unique power and authority, establishing Him as the ultimate rescuer and judge, distinct from all other deities. It solidified Israel's identity as a people redeemed by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, forever bound to their covenant-keeping God.
* [Deuteronomy 11:4](/deuteronomy/11-4 "God's judgment on Egypt")
* [Psalm 106:11](/psalm/106-11 "The drowning of the enemies")
* [Isaiah 43:16](/isaiah/43-16 "God making a way through the sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This dramatic account encourages believers to trust in God's unfailing power and faithfulness, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles or overwhelming opposition. Just as God made a way for Israel through the Red Sea and decisively dealt with their oppressors, He remains able to deliver us from our spiritual enemies, the bondage of sin, and life's most daunting challenges. It calls us to stand firm in faith, knowing that God is just and will ultimately triumph over all evil and oppression, securing our ultimate freedom and peace. This passage reminds us that God's deliverance is often absolute and complete, leaving no room for the enemy to regroup or return. It invites us to consider what "pursuing enemies" in our lives—whether spiritual strongholds, habitual sins, or overwhelming circumstances—we need to surrender to God's sovereign hand, trusting Him for their ultimate and decisive defeat.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God for a "Red Sea" deliverance, where the path seems impossible?**
* **How does the completeness of God's judgment against Pharaoh's army affirm His justice and power in your understanding of His character?**
* **What "pursuing enemies" (spiritual, emotional, circumstantial) do you need to surrender to God's sovereign hand, trusting Him for their ultimate and complete defeat?**

### FAQ
**Did any Egyptians survive the Red Sea event?**

Answer: According to [Exodus 14:28](/exodus/14-28 "The Destruction of Pharaoh's Army"), the text explicitly states, "there remained not so much as one of them." This emphasizes a complete and total destruction of Pharaoh's pursuing army that entered the sea, leaving no survivors. This absolute annihilation underscores the finality of God's judgment and the thoroughness of Israel's deliverance from their oppressors.

**Why was the destruction of Pharaoh's army so absolute?**

Answer: The absolute destruction underscored God's omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel. It served as a definitive and undeniable sign that the threat of re-enslavement was entirely removed, ensuring Israel's freedom to pursue their journey to the Promised Land without fear of further pursuit. This event also established God's supreme authority over all earthly powers, demonstrating that no human army, however mighty, could stand against His divine will. It was a foundational act that instilled both fear in Israel's enemies and faith in His people, as seen in the [Song of Moses in Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "The Song of Moses and Miriam").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Red Sea crossing, culminating in the complete destruction of Pharaoh's army, serves as a powerful Old Testament type pointing to the greater, ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from physical bondage and a pursuing enemy, Christ delivers humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin and the ultimate enemy, death. The waters that brought judgment upon Pharaoh's army prefigure the **baptism** that symbolizes our death to sin and new life in Christ, where we are "buried with him by baptism into death... that we also should walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Baptism and new life in Christ")). Moreover, Christ's decisive victory over sin and death on the cross is the ultimate fulfillment of God's decisive judgment against all opposing powers, including Satan and his forces ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's triumph over spiritual powers")). Through His resurrection, Jesus secured eternal freedom for His people, a deliverance far surpassing the temporary physical liberation at the Red Sea, offering not just freedom from a physical oppressor but from the very power of sin and death itself ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's victory over death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 78:53

And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Psalms 106:9

He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

Psalms 106:11

And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

Habakkuk 3:13

Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Habakkuk 3:8

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation?

Habakkuk 3:10

The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, [and] lifted up his hands on high.

Psalms 136:15

But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.