Exodus 15:5

KJV

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

KJV (with Strong's)

The depths {H8415} have covered {H3680} them: they sank {H3381} into the bottom {H4688} as {H3644} a stone {H68}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The deep waters covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.

Berean Standard Bible

The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone.

American Standard Version

The deeps cover them: They went down into the depths like a stone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 15:5 is a powerful and vivid declaration within the triumphant Song of Moses, celebrating God's decisive and overwhelming victory over Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea. This verse poetically portrays the complete and irreversible destruction of the Egyptian pursuers, emphasizing that the vast, deep waters engulfed them entirely, causing them to sink swiftly and irrevocably to the seabed as if they were mere stones. It stands as a profound testament to God's unchallengeable power, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, and the certainty of His righteous judgment against those who defy Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 15:5 is an integral and climactic part of the "Song of Moses and Miriam," a magnificent hymn of praise and thanksgiving found in [Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "The Song of Moses and Miriam"). This song is sung by the Israelites immediately after their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea and the subsequent, total destruction of the Egyptian army. The preceding verses (15:1-4) introduce the song's central theme: Yahweh's unparalleled triumph over Pharaoh and his forces, specifically mentioning the drowning of chariots and elite captains. Verse 5 serves as a poetic amplification and graphic elaboration of the Egyptians' fate, providing a visceral image of their complete annihilation. It contributes significantly to the song's overall purpose of exalting God's unique power and establishing His supremacy as the divine Warrior who fights for His people, starkly contrasting His omnipotence with the impotence of human armies. The song itself is a foundational declaration of Israel's identity as a people redeemed by a mighty God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for [Exodus 15:5](/exodus/15-5 "Exodus 15:5 - The Drowning of Pharaoh's Army") is the pivotal event of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelite people from over 400 years of brutal slavery in Egypt. Following a series of ten devastating plagues that demonstrated Yahweh's sovereignty over all Egyptian deities and Pharaoh himself, the Israelites departed Egypt, only to be pursued by Pharaoh's elite army to the shores of the Red Sea. The miraculous parting of the waters, allowing Israel to cross on dry ground, followed by the return of the waters to engulf the pursuing Egyptians, was the climactic event that irrevocably cemented God's covenant faithfulness and overwhelming power in the minds of the Israelites. Culturally, the ancient Near East often viewed the sea as a symbol of chaos, untamable power, and even primordial evil. For God to command the sea, using it as an instrument of precise judgment, underscored His absolute dominion over all creation and all forces, both natural and human. This event profoundly validated His unique status as the one true God in a polytheistic world, where other nations worshipped deities associated with various natural phenomena.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 15:5](/exodus/15-5 "Exodus 15:5 - The Drowning of Pharaoh's Army") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute control over creation and history. He is not merely a tribal deity but the Lord of all, capable of manipulating natural elements to achieve His purposes. Second is **Divine Judgment**, specifically God's righteous wrath against those who oppress His people and defy His will. The complete destruction of Pharaoh's army serves as a stark warning and a testament to God's justice. Third is **Divine Deliverance and Salvation**, as the judgment on Egypt is inextricably linked to the salvation of Israel. God's power is exercised on behalf of His covenant people, fulfilling His promises (e.g., [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Promise of Deliverance")). This event also establishes the theme of **Yahweh as the Divine Warrior**, a motif that recurs throughout the Old Testament, portraying God as actively fighting for His people against their enemies (e.g., [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight For You")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **depths (Hebrew, _tᵉhôwm'_):** This noun (H8415) refers to an abyss, the deep, or a surging mass of water, often associated with the primeval oceans. Its use here evokes a sense of vast, overwhelming, and inescapable quantity of water. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, "the deep" often carried connotations of chaos or the primordial waters from which creation emerged. Here, God, who once ordered the chaotic waters at creation, now uses them as an instrument of precise, overwhelming judgment, demonstrating His absolute control over all elements. The plural form (implied in the KJV "depths") further magnifies the immense volume.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** From the primitive root H3680, meaning "to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm." This verb vividly conveys the totality of the engulfment. It wasn't merely a shallow inundation but a complete submersion by the vast, deep waters of the Red Sea. The nuance of "overwhelm" is particularly potent here, signifying that escape was impossible and the Egyptians were utterly submerged beyond recovery.
* **sank (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** From the primitive root H3381, meaning "to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down." While often translated as "go down" or "descend," in this context, it powerfully describes a rapid, irreversible descent into the water, implying a lack of struggle or buoyancy. The verb signifies that the Egyptians were not merely overwhelmed but utterly pulled downwards with an irresistible force, signifying their complete and final demise to the very bottom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The depths have covered them":** This initial clause immediately establishes the overwhelming nature of the event. The "depths" (referring to the vast, deep waters of the Red Sea) are personified as an active agent, completely engulfing the Egyptian army. This emphasizes the totality of the submersion; no part of the army was spared or able to escape the watery embrace. This act reveals God's absolute sovereignty over creation, turning a path of deliverance for His people into a watery grave for His enemies, demonstrating His power to use the natural world as an instrument of His will.
* **"they sank into the bottom as a stone":** This powerful simile vividly describes both the manner and the finality of the Egyptians' destruction. "They sank into the bottom" indicates a descent to the very seabed, leaving no trace or possibility of rescue or recovery. The comparison "as a stone" is highly effective, conveying swiftness, heaviness, and utter lack of resistance or buoyancy. A stone sinks quickly and directly to the lowest point without effort or struggle. This imagery paints a picture of bodies and chariots plummeting rapidly and irrevocably to the deepest part of the sea, underscoring the completeness, finality, and divine precision of their judgment. It signifies that their destruction was not accidental or partial, but absolute and divinely orchestrated, beyond any hope of survival.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 15:5 is rich with **Imagery**, creating a visceral mental picture of the Egyptians' catastrophic fate. The visual imagery of "depths" covering them and the kinesthetic imagery of their bodies "sank into the bottom" powerfully convey the overwhelming and inescapable nature of their demise. The most prominent and impactful device is **Simile**, specifically "as a stone." This comparison is highly effective, communicating the swiftness, heaviness, and utter finality of the Egyptians' sinking. It implies a complete lack of buoyancy or struggle, underscoring the absolute and irreversible nature of their destruction. The verse also employs a degree of **Hyperbole** in its emphasis on the "depths" and sinking "into the bottom," to underscore the totality of the annihilation, though the event itself was literal. The entire verse functions as a climactic moment within a larger **Hymn of Triumph**, celebrating God's power and justice through poetic and dramatic language, designed to evoke awe and worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 15:5 stands as an enduring testament to the character of God, revealing His unchallengeable power, His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, and the certainty of His righteous judgment. The complete annihilation of Pharaoh's army underscores the futility of opposing the Almighty and serves as a powerful demonstration that God is not only capable of delivering His people but also just in executing judgment upon those who oppress them and defy His will. This event established Yahweh's supremacy over all earthly powers and false gods, solidifying His position as the divine Warrior who fights for Israel. The themes of divine judgment and ultimate victory over evil resonate throughout biblical narrative, foreshadowing God's final triumph over all forms of wickedness and oppression, and assuring His people of their ultimate security in His hands.
* [Exodus 14:28](/exodus/14-28 "The Waters Return and Cover the Egyptians")
* [Psalm 78:13](/psalm/78-13 "God Parts the Sea and Leads Israel Through")
* [Revelation 19:11-21](/revelation/19-11-21 "Christ's Final Victory and Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 15:5 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that the God who delivered Israel with such overwhelming power and precision remains the same. In a world often marked by oppression, injustice, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse assures us that God is actively involved in history, capable of overturning the mightiest human forces and bringing about His perfect will. It encourages us to place our trust not in human strength or political power, but in the sovereign God who fights for His people. For those who feel oppressed or overwhelmed, it offers hope that God will ultimately bring deliverance and justice, even when circumstances seem impossible. For those who might be tempted to defy God or oppress others, it serves as a solemn warning of the certainty and finality of divine judgment. This powerful imagery calls us to a deeper awe and worship of a God whose power knows no bounds and whose justice is absolute, prompting us to live in reverent submission to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the Egyptians sinking "as a stone" deepen your understanding of God's justice and the finality of His judgment against evil?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's overwhelming power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles or oppressive forces?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the certainty of God's promises of deliverance for His people and judgment for His adversaries, and how does this impact your faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is the destruction of the Egyptians described with such vivid and final imagery?**

Answer: The vivid and final imagery used to describe the destruction of the Egyptians in [Exodus 15:5](/exodus/15-5 "Exodus 15:5 - The Drowning of Pharaoh's Army") serves several crucial theological and narrative purposes. Firstly, it emphatically demonstrates God's absolute and unchallengeable power, leaving no doubt about His ability to deliver His people and judge His enemies. The "depths" covering them and sinking "as a stone" convey a complete, irreversible, and divinely orchestrated annihilation, not merely a defeat. Secondly, it underscores the completeness of Israel's deliverance; the threat was utterly removed, ensuring their freedom and security from future pursuit. Thirdly, it serves as a powerful testament to God's righteous judgment against Pharaoh's persistent defiance and the centuries of oppression against Israel, validating His justice and sovereignty over all earthly powers and false gods. This dramatic description was meant to instill profound awe in Israel and fear in surrounding nations, confirming Yahweh as the one true God who acts decisively in history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 15:5, with its vivid portrayal of God's definitive judgment and deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Red Sea event, where God's people passed through water to freedom while their enemies were utterly vanquished, serves as a powerful Old Testament type for the salvation wrought by Christ. Just as the depths covered Pharaoh's army, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross, descended into the "depths" of judgment, conquering sin, death, and the powers of darkness that held humanity captive (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His resurrection is the ultimate "crossing over" to new life, a definitive victory over our spiritual oppressors, providing a path to freedom and eternal life for all who believe (as seen in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ Through Baptism")). Believers, through faith and baptism, are identified with Christ's death and resurrection, passing through a spiritual "Red Sea" from bondage to sin into the freedom of God's kingdom (compare [1 Corinthians 10:1-2](/1_corinthians/10-1-2 "1 Corinthians 10:1-2 - Israel's Baptism in the Cloud and Sea")). The judgment on Pharaoh's army foreshadows Christ's final and complete triumph over all evil and His ultimate judgment of those who reject His saving grace, ensuring that all who are "in Christ" are eternally delivered from the power of sin and death, secured in His victory (as promised in [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Final Judgment of the Devil")).

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

Nehemiah 9:11

And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Exodus 14:28

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.

Exodus 15:10

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

Jeremiah 51:63

And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Jeremiah 51:64

And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

Ezekiel 27:34

In the time [when] thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

Revelation 18:21

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.