Exodus 15:15

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Then {H227} the dukes {H441} of Edom {H123} shall be amazed {H926}; the mighty men {H352} of Moab {H4124}, trembling {H7461} shall take hold {H270} upon them; all the inhabitants {H3427} of Canaan {H3667} shall melt away {H4127}.

then the chiefs of Edom are dismayed; trepidation seizes the heads of Mo'av; all those living in Kena'an are melted away.

Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,

Then were the chiefs of Edom dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, trembling taketh hold upon them: All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.

Commentary

Exodus 15:15 is part of the powerful "Song of Moses," sung by the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea. This specific verse looks ahead, describing the anticipated reaction of surrounding nations upon hearing the news of God's mighty act against Egypt. It highlights the widespread fear and awe that God's power would instill, particularly among key neighboring groups like Edom, Moab, and the inhabitants of Canaan, the land the Israelites were destined to inherit.

Context

This verse is situated within the triumphant Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-19), a hymn of praise to God for the overwhelming defeat of Pharaoh and the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. After witnessing this unprecedented display of divine power and salvation, the Israelites prophetically declare how the report of these events will impact the nations around them, paving the way for their future journey and conquest of the promised land. The mention of Edom, Moab, and Canaan is significant as these were peoples the Israelites would directly interact with or confront on their path.

Key Themes

  • The Awe-Inspiring Power of God: The verse emphasizes how God's actions are so powerful they cause fear and amazement even among strong nations.
  • The Fear of the Nations: It predicts that the report of God's judgment on Egypt will spread, causing dread and demoralization among potential adversaries.
  • Preparation for the Conquest: The anticipated "melting away" of the inhabitants of Canaan suggests that God is already at work, softening resistance and preparing the way for the Israelites to enter and possess the promised land.
  • God's Reputation: The events of the Exodus were not just for Israel; they were a demonstration of God's power to the entire region, establishing His reputation among the nations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong imagery: "amazed" for the dukes of Edom (chiefs or leaders), "trembling" for the mighty men of Moab, and "melt away" for the inhabitants of Canaan. "Melt away" carries the sense of dissolving, losing courage, or becoming utterly demoralized, which is precisely what happened to the Canaanites upon hearing the report of God's deeds, as noted later in the historical accounts (see Joshua 2:9-11).

Practical Application

Exodus 15:15 reminds us that God's actions in the world have far-reaching consequences. His power is not limited to saving His people; it also impacts those who oppose Him. For believers today, this verse is a source of confidence. Knowing that God's power can cause even the strongest adversaries to tremble should strengthen our faith and trust in His ability to protect us and work on our behalf. It also serves as a reminder that the world takes notice, whether in fear or in awe, when God's hand is clearly at work.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 5:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which [were] on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which [were] by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

  • Joshua 2:11

    And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

  • Joshua 2:9

    And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

  • Deuteronomy 2:4

    And command thou the people, saying, Ye [are] to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:

  • Genesis 36:40

    And these [are] the names of the dukes [that came] of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,

  • Nahum 2:10

    She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

  • Numbers 20:14

    ¶ And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
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