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Exodus 14:22

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And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} went {H935} into the midst {H8432} of the sea {H3220} upon the dry {H3004} ground: and the waters {H4325} were a wall {H2346} unto them on their right hand {H3225}, and on their left {H8040}.

Then the people of Isra'el went into the sea on the dry ground, with the water walled up for them on their right and on their left.

and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Commentary

Context

This pivotal verse describes the moment the children of Israel began walking through the Red Sea. Having escaped Egypt after the plagues, they found themselves trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's pursuing army. Moses, under God's command, stretched out his hand, and a strong east wind divided the waters, creating a dry path. Verse 22 details the start of their passage through this miraculous opening.

Key Themes

  • Miraculous Deliverance: This is a prime example of God's direct intervention to save His people from certain destruction. The parting of the sea was an unparalleled event, demonstrating God's absolute control over nature.
  • God's Power and Sovereignty: The waters forming "a wall" on either side showcases the immense power of God, who can suspend natural laws to fulfill His purposes. It highlights God's power in their miraculous deliverance.
  • Faith and Obedience: The Israelites had to step out in faith onto the newly revealed dry ground, trusting God's promise and Moses' leadership despite the towering walls of water beside them.
  • Divine Protection: The walls of water served not only as a path but also as a barrier protecting them from the sea returning prematurely and from the pursuing Egyptians until they had passed through.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "dry ground" translates the Hebrew word yabashah (יַבָּשָׁה), which refers to dry land or continent, often contrasted with water. Its use here emphasizes that the path through the sea was genuinely dry and solid, not muddy or impassable. The word for "wall," chomah (חוֹמָה), is typically used for fortified city walls, suggesting the substantial, vertical nature of the water barrier on both sides.

Reflection

Exodus 14:22 is a powerful reminder that God can create a way where there seems to be none. When we face seemingly impossible obstacles, this verse encourages us to trust in God's mighty power and His promise to deliver us. It calls us to step out in faith, like the Israelites walking between the walls of water, trusting God in seemingly impossible situations, knowing that He is our protector and deliverer.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Hebrews 11:29 (10 votes)

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

  • Psalms 66:6 (9 votes)

    He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

  • Exodus 15:19 (8 votes)

    For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry [land] in the midst of the sea.

  • Psalms 78:13 (8 votes)

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

  • Exodus 14:29 (8 votes)

    But the children of Israel walked upon dry [land] in the midst of the sea; and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

  • Nehemiah 9:11 (4 votes)

    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.