Keraia
Exodus 15

Exodus 15:8

The Song at the Sea · Exodus 15:1–21
Read Exodus 15

Translations

Modern
At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And by the breath of Your nostrils the waters were gathered together; the flowing waters stood upright like a heap; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
Latin
Et in spiritu furoris tui congregatæ sunt aquæ: stetit unda fluens, congregata sunt abyssi in medio mari.

Original

Hebrew
English
At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

Notes

Exodus 15:8

  • nostrils: In other contexts, this word may be translated as anger. The hot breath from God's nose is an image of God's anger.

  • the blast: The Hebrew word translated as breath (ruakh) is also translated as wind in 14:21 and as Spirit in Genesis 1:2. Nature is not God, but God works everywhere in nature.

Exodus 15:6–12

The song speaks to the Lord in a personal way. It calls him You. This makes a strong contrast between the Lord and them, the enemies (15:7). The enemies had their own plans and desires, but their plans failed (15:9,10).

Exodus 15:1–18

Scholars believe this song of rescue to be one of the oldest preserved examples of the Hebrew language, attesting to its importance in Israel’s thought and faith. It is divided into three stanzas:

  1. The first stanza celebrates the Lord's rescue of Moses and his people (using many first-person pronouns, 15:1–5).

  2. The second stanza celebrates the great difference between the Lord and the Egyptians (verses 6–12).

  3. The third stanza considers what these events would mean for the future (verses 13–18).

Events

Parallels

Judges 5:1–31

Glossary

Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Edom, Edomites Exodus, the God, Names of Moses Music Poetry, Biblical Red Sea Song of Deborah Song of Moses

Topics

Blasting: Figurative Epic: (Heroic Poetry): Miriam's Song Faith: Exemplified God: Power of Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Through the Red Sea: Israel's Song of Praise Joy of Moses and the Israelites, when Pharaoh and his Army Were Destroyed Poetry: Epic: Moses' Song Praise: Moses Praise: Song of Moses, After the Passage Through the Red Sea Psalms of Moses, Celebrating the Deliverance at the Red Sea Select Readings: Song of Moses when Pharaoh and his Army Were Overthrown Song: War Thankfulness: Exemplified Thankfulness: To God of Moses The Armies of Israel: Congratulated on Returning Victorious