Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

And Miriam {H4813} answered {H6030} them, Sing {H7891} ye to the LORD {H3068}, for he hath triumphed {H1342} gloriously {H1342}; the horse {H5483} and his rider {H7392} hath he thrown {H7411} into the sea {H3220}.

as Miryam sang to them: "Sing to ADONAI, for he is highly exalted! The horse and its rider he threw in the sea!"

And Miriam sang back to them: โ€œSing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.โ€

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Commentary

Exodus 15:21 captures the powerful moment of collective praise led by Miriam, the prophetess, immediately following the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites through the Red Sea. This verse serves as a direct echo and summary of the longer "Song of Moses" (Exodus 15:1-19), emphasizing the central theme of God's unparalleled victory.

Context

This verse is situated at the climax of Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage. After witnessing God's overwhelming power in parting the Red Sea and then allowing the waters to return, utterly destroying Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:28), the people of Israel burst into spontaneous worship. Moses leads the men in a grand song of praise, and then Miriam, identified as a prophetess and Aaron's sister, leads the women in a responsive chorus, with timbrels and dancing, reiterating the core message of the victory (Exodus 15:20). This scene highlights the immediate and joyous response to divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Triumph and Deliverance: The central message is God's absolute victory over a seemingly insurmountable enemy. The phrase "he hath triumphed gloriously" underscores the magnitude and majesty of His power in delivering His people.
  • Worship and Praise: The verse demonstrates the appropriate response to God's mighty actsโ€”fervent, joyful, and communal worship. It's a call to acknowledge and celebrate His sovereignty.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: The destruction of "the horse and his rider" vividly portrays God's control over all creation and His ability to humble the most formidable earthly powers.
  • Miriam's Leadership: Miriam's role as a prophetess leading the women in song shows the diverse ways God uses His people, including women, in leadership and worship. This act solidifies her place as a significant figure in Israel's early history.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "triumphed gloriously" translates the Hebrew verb ga'ah (ื’ึธึผืึธื”) repeated for emphasis, ga'oh ga'ah. This repetition intensifies the meaning, signifying "exalted utterly," "magnificently triumphed," or "highly exalted." It conveys a sense of overwhelming, majestic victory that leaves no doubt about the source of power. This strong declaration resonates with the opening lines of Moses' song, "I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously."

Practical Application

Exodus 15:21 reminds believers today of the importance of remembering and celebrating God's past deliverances in their lives. Just as the Israelites responded to God's mighty hand with immediate and effusive praise, we too are called to acknowledge His faithfulness and power. Whether it's deliverance from spiritual bondage, overcoming personal struggles, or seeing God's provision, our response should be one of grateful worship. This verse encourages us to not only acknowledge God's work individually but also to participate in communal praise, recognizing that His triumphs are often for the benefit of His collective people.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 15:1

    ยถ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

  • Revelation 15:3

    And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

  • Revelation 7:10

    And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

  • Revelation 7:12

    Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Revelation 19:1

    ยถ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

  • Revelation 19:6

    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.