Hebrews 11:29

KJV

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

KJV (with Strong's)

By faith {G4102} they passed through {G1224} the Red {G2063} sea {G2281} as {G5613} by {G1223} dry {G3584} land: which {G3739} the Egyptians {G124} assaying {G3984} to do {G2983} were drowned {G2666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By trusting, they walked through the Red Sea as through dry land; when the Egyptians tried to do it, the sea swallowed them up.

Berean Standard Bible

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

American Standard Version

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:29 powerfully illustrates the transformative and delivering nature of faith, recounting the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites. This pivotal event, a high point in their Exodus from Egyptian bondage, serves as a profound example within the "Hall of Faith," demonstrating how obedience rooted in trust in God enables the impossible, while presumption without divine authorization leads to destruction. The verse encapsulates both God's saving power for His people and His righteous judgment against His adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 11 is famously known as the "faith chapter," a grand exposition on the nature and power of faith, exemplified through a historical parade of Old Testament figures. Following a detailed account of Moses' personal faith in verses [Hebrews 11:23-28](/hebrews/11-23-28 "Hebrews 11:23-28 - Moses' Faith"), verse 29 shifts focus to the collective faith of the Israelites under his leadership. It marks a transition from individual acts of faith to a communal demonstration, setting the stage for subsequent examples of corporate faith, such as the fall of Jericho in [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - The Fall of Jericho"). The Red Sea crossing is presented as the ultimate culmination of their initial deliverance from Egypt, a testament to God's faithfulness and their responsive (though often imperfect) trust.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Hebrews 11:29 is the dramatic climax of the Exodus narrative, specifically recorded in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea"). Having been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt through the ten plagues, the Israelites found themselves trapped between the formidable pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable waters of the Red Sea. In the ancient world, a large body of water like the Red Sea was an insurmountable natural barrier, and the might of Pharaoh's army represented the pinnacle of human power. For the Israelites, this situation was one of utter despair, highlighting their utter dependence on divine intervention. Culturally, such a miraculous deliverance would have been understood as a clear demonstration of a deity's supreme power and favor, establishing Yahweh's unparalleled authority over both nature and human empires.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 11:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Hebrews and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme that **Faith Enables the Impossible**. The Red Sea, an impenetrable obstacle, became a dry path through divine intervention, showcasing that human limitations are no barrier to God's power when met with faith. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Deliverance and Judgment**. The same event that brought miraculous salvation and freedom to the Israelites simultaneously brought swift and decisive judgment upon the Egyptians, illustrating God's dual nature as a merciful deliverer to His covenant people and a just judge against those who oppose His will and oppress the innocent, a theme echoed in [Romans 9:22-23](/romans/9-22-23 "Romans 9:22-23 - Vessels of Wrath and Mercy"). Finally, it starkly contrasts **Consequences of Presumption vs. Faith**. The Egyptians' attempt to follow where the Israelites walked by divine command and faith was an act of audacious presumption, leading to their demise. This stands in sharp contrast to the Israelites' obedience, however fearful, which was rooted in a nascent trust in God's word and resulted in their salvation. This distinction warns against acting without divine authorization, a principle seen throughout scripture, such as in [Numbers 14:40-45](/numbers/14-40-45 "Numbers 14:40-45 - The Defeat at Hormah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This term (G4102) denotes persuasion, credence, and moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation, or the truthfulness of God. In Hebrews 11:29, "by faith" emphasizes that the Israelites' passage was not due to their own strength, ingenuity, or even perfect courage, but entirely due to their trust and obedience to God's command given through Moses. It highlights that their action was a response to God's promise, empowered by their belief in Him.
* **passed through (Greek, _diabaínō'_):: This word (G1224) literally means "to cross" or "to come over." Its use here underscores the active, physical movement of the Israelites across the sea. It implies a journey from one side to another, signifying a complete transition from bondage to freedom, from danger to safety, made possible by God's intervention.
* **drowned (Greek, _katapínō'_):** This verb (G2666), formed from `katá` (down) and `pínō` (to drink), means "to drink down" or "to gulp entirely," literally or figuratively. In this context, it vividly describes the complete and utter destruction of the Egyptian army, swallowed up by the returning waters. It conveys the finality and totality of God's judgment upon those who opposed His will and pursued His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]:"** This opening clause attributes the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea directly to the Israelites' faith. The phrase "as by dry land" emphasizes the utterly supernatural nature of the event; what was naturally an impassable body of water became solid ground, akin to walking on the desert floor. This highlights the extraordinary power of God working through the faith of His people, transforming an impossible barrier into a pathway to deliverance. Their act of stepping into the parted waters was an act of obedience, a tangible expression of their trust in God's promise and power.
* **"which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned."** This second clause presents a stark contrast to the first, demonstrating the fatal consequences of acting without faith or divine authorization. The Egyptians, in their pursuit, attempted to replicate the Israelites' passage, but their action was born of presumption and malice, not faith in God. Their "assaying to do" (attempting or daring) was an act of hubris, leading to their complete destruction. The returning waters, which had been a path for God's people, became an instrument of judgment for their enemies, illustrating God's sovereign control over creation and His justice.

#### Literary Devices
Hebrews 11:29 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, vividly juxtaposing the fate of the Israelites with that of the Egyptians. The same Red Sea that provided a miraculous escape for God's people became a watery grave for their pursuers, highlighting the distinct outcomes of faith versus presumption. This serves to underscore God's selective judgment and salvation. **Symbolism** is also at play, with the Red Sea itself serving as a powerful symbol of an insurmountable obstacle that only divine power can overcome. Its parting symbolizes God's ability to create a way where there is no way, and its closing represents the finality of divine judgment. Furthermore, the phrase "as by dry land" employs **Simile**, comparing the miraculous, firm ground of the parted sea to ordinary dry land, emphasizing the tangible reality of God's supernatural intervention and making the incredible event more comprehensible to the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Red Sea crossing, recounted in Hebrews 11:29, is a foundational event in salvation history, rich with theological implications that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. It stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to deliver His covenant people. This event foreshadows the greater salvation offered through Christ, establishing a pattern of divine intervention that liberates from bondage and judges oppressors. It also serves as a prototype for subsequent acts of deliverance and a profound symbol of the transition from death to life, bondage to freedom, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant. The crossing is often seen as a prefigurement of Christian baptism, symbolizing a spiritual passage from the old life of sin and slavery to a new life in Christ.

* [Exodus 14:30-31](/exodus/14-30-31 "Exodus 14:30-31 - Israel Sees God's Salvation")
* [1 Corinthians 10:1-2](/1_corinthians/10-1-2 "1 Corinthians 10:1-2 - Israel's Spiritual Food and Drink")
* [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Buried with Christ Through Baptism")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:29 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that authentic faith is not passive intellectual assent but an active trust that steps out in obedience, even when faced with seemingly impossible obstacles. Just as the Red Sea presented an insurmountable barrier that became a pathway for the Israelites, God is capable of creating paths where none exist in our own lives, whether we face personal crises, spiritual battles, or major life decisions. This verse calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, trusting that His power is made perfect in our weakness and that He will make a way for those who obey His call. It also serves as a sober warning against presumption, urging us to discern carefully between God's leading and our own human ambition, ensuring our actions are rooted in His will and not in self-reliance or opposition to His purposes. Our faith, like theirs, should be a living, active response to God's revealed truth, enabling us to walk through our own "Red Seas" with confidence in His delivering power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Red Sea" obstacles are you currently facing that seem insurmountable in your life?**
* **How does the Israelites' act of "passing through" challenge your understanding of active faith versus passive belief?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to "assay to do" something in your own strength, rather than relying on God's divine guidance and power?**
* **How does the dual outcome for the Israelites and Egyptians inform your understanding of God's character as both deliverer and judge?**

### FAQ
**What does "by faith" mean in the context of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea?**

Answer: "By faith" in this context means that the Israelites' miraculous passage through the Red Sea was not a result of their own strength, strategic planning, or even perfect courage, but rather their active trust and obedience to God's command delivered through Moses. Despite their fear and the seemingly impossible situation, they stepped into the parted waters, demonstrating a reliance on God's power and promise. It highlights that their deliverance was a divine act initiated by God and received through their responsive belief, as seen in [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13-14 "Exodus 14:13-14 - The Lord Will Fight For You").

**Why were the Egyptians drowned when they attempted to cross the same path?**

Answer: The Egyptians were drowned because their attempt to cross was not an act of faith or obedience to God, but an act of hostile pursuit and presumption. They were attempting to replicate a divine miracle without divine authorization or a relationship with the God who performed it. Their actions were driven by malice and a desire to re-enslave God's chosen people, contrasting sharply with the Israelites' desperate, yet obedient, trust. This illustrates God's righteous judgment against those who oppose His will and persecute His people, as detailed in [Exodus 14:26-28](/exodus/14-26-28 "The Destruction of Pharaoh's Army").

**How is the Red Sea crossing relevant to believers today?**

Answer: The Red Sea crossing remains profoundly relevant today as a powerful reminder that God can make a way where there seems to be no way. It encourages believers to exercise active faith when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, trusting that God's power is sufficient to deliver them. It also serves as a theological precursor to Christian baptism, symbolizing a passage from spiritual bondage to new life in Christ, and a reminder of God's ultimate victory over the forces of evil. The principle of trusting God in impossible situations is a timeless truth for all who walk by faith, as encouraged in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "I Can Do All Things Through Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by faith in Hebrews 11:29 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This Old Testament deliverance, where God made a path through an impassable barrier to save His people from bondage and judgment, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's greater work of salvation. Just as the Israelites were delivered from physical slavery and death by passing through the waters, humanity is delivered from the bondage of sin and the certainty of spiritual death through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus, as the true and greater Moses, leads His people not through a physical sea, but through the ultimate "sea" of sin and death, conquering it by His own death and resurrection. The "dry land" of the Red Sea crossing prefigures the new creation and the new life we enter into through Christ, symbolized by Christian baptism, which Paul describes as being "buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ Through Baptism")). The judgment poured out on the Egyptians also points to Christ, who bore the full judgment of God for sin on the cross, allowing those who believe in Him to pass through safely into eternal life, while those who reject Him face the consequences of their own rebellion ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - He Who Believes Is Not Condemned")). Thus, the Red Sea crossing is a magnificent type of the salvation inaugurated by Christ, the ultimate deliverer who provides a way to freedom and life through faith in His name ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through No Other Name")).

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

Exodus 14:13

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

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.

Psalms 78:13

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

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.

Isaiah 63:11

Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?

Isaiah 63:16

Doubtless thou [art] our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, [art] our father, our redeemer; thy name [is] from everlasting.