He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
He divided {H1234}{H8804)} the sea {H3220}, and caused them to pass through {H5674}{H8686)}; and he made the waters {H4325} to stand {H5324}{H8686)} as an heap {H5067}.
He split the sea and made them pass through, he made the waters stand up like a wall.
He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall.
He clave the sea, and caused them to pass through; And he made the waters to stand as a heap.
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Exodus 14:21
¶ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided. -
Exodus 15:8
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. -
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 106:10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated [them], and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. -
Psalms 66:6
He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. -
Joshua 3:16
That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. -
Psalms 136:13
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
Psalm 78:13 vividly recounts one of the most pivotal moments in Israelite history: the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. This verse is part of a longer historical psalm, attributed to Asaph, which serves as a didactic poem, instructing future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's frequent rebellion.
Context
This psalm, often referred to as a "historical psalm," traces the journey of the Israelites from their deliverance out of Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the Promised Land. Psalm 78:13 specifically highlights God's initial act of salvation, setting the stage for the narrative of His mighty deeds and His people's responses. It recalls the event detailed in Exodus 14, where Pharaoh's army pursued the newly freed Israelites, trapping them against the sea.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "made the waters to stand as an heap" uses the Hebrew word ned (נֵד), which literally means a "mound," "pile," or "heap." This term emphasizes the incredible, unnatural stacking of the water walls on either side of the dry path. It wasn't merely a receding tide; it was a supernatural suspension of massive bodies of water, standing like solid walls, allowing millions to pass through. This vivid imagery underscores the magnitude of God's miraculous intervention, a testament to His power that is also referenced in Psalm 106:9 and Isaiah 63:12.
Practical Application
For believers today, Psalm 78:13 serves as a powerful reminder that there is no obstacle too great for God. Just as He made a way through the sea for the Israelites, He can provide solutions and pathways through our seemingly impossible situations. It encourages trust in His omnipotence and faithfulness, knowing that the God who parted the Red Sea is the same God who is with us. This verse calls us to remember God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in history, building our confidence to face present challenges with faith, as commended in Hebrews 11:29.