Keraia
Exodus 15

Exodus 15:9

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

Translations

Modern
The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’
Traditional
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Literal
The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul shall be filled with them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
Latin
Dixit inimicus: Persequar et comprehendam, dividam spolia, implebitur anima mea: evaginabo gladium meum, interficiet eos manus mea.

Original

Hebrew
English
The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’

Notes

Exodus 15:9–10

Compared to the Creator’s plans, all the plans of even the most powerful humans are nothing (see Psalm 2:2–5). They are like dust that can be blown away with one puff of his breath (see Isaiah 40:15–17).

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

Armies: Divided the Spoil Epic: (Heroic Poetry): Miriam's Song Faith: Exemplified 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 The Providence of God is Exercised in Defeating Wicked Designs