Exodus 14:16
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Original Language Analysis
הָרֵ֣ם
But lift thou up
H7311
הָרֵ֣ם
But lift thou up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
2 of 16
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַטְּךָ֗
thy rod
H4294
מַטְּךָ֗
thy rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
4 of 16
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
וּנְטֵ֧ה
and stretch out
H5186
וּנְטֵ֧ה
and stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
5 of 16
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָֽדְךָ֛
thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֛
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
9 of 16
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וּבְקָעֵ֑הוּ
and divide
H1234
וּבְקָעֵ֑הוּ
and divide
Strong's:
H1234
Word #:
10 of 16
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
וְיָבֹ֧אוּ
shall go
H935
וְיָבֹ֧אוּ
shall go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְנֵֽי
it and the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
it and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּת֥וֹךְ
ground through the midst
H8432
בְּת֥וֹךְ
ground through the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
14 of 16
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
Exodus 7:19And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.Exodus 14:26And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.Exodus 4:2And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.Exodus 4:17And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.Exodus 4:20And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.Isaiah 10:26And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.Exodus 7:9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
Historical Context
This rod, used to bring judgment on Egypt, now brings salvation to Israel. Its reuse connects the plagues to Red Sea crossing as one unified redemptive act. Moses' lifted hand pictures Christ's lifted arms on the cross.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'rod' (means or tool) has God given you to use in faith despite impossible circumstances?
- How does lifting your hand toward the obstacle in obedience to God's word demonstrate genuine faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command to Moses: 'lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it' combines divine power with human agency. The rod (already used in plagues) serves as God's appointed instrument. The act—stretching hand toward impossible obstacle—requires faith. The promise 'the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea' states the impossible outcome before any evidence appears. Faith acts on God's word before seeing results.