Exodus 14:26
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נְטֵ֥ה
Stretch out
H5186
נְטֵ֥ה
Stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
5 of 17
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 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָֽדְךָ֖
thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֖
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 17
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 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיָּ֑ם
over the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֑ם
over the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
9 of 17
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
וְיָשֻׁ֤בוּ
may come again
H7725
וְיָשֻׁ֤בוּ
may come again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
10 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
that the waters
H4325
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
that the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
11 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִצְרַ֔יִם
upon the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֔יִם
upon the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
13 of 17
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רִכְבּ֖וֹ
upon their chariots
H7393
רִכְבּ֖וֹ
upon their chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
15 of 17
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
Cross References
Exodus 14:16But 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.Exodus 8:5And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
Moses' obedient stretch of his hand triggered the waters' return. The timing came after Israel crossed safely but while Egypt was in mid-sea—perfect for judgment, evidence of divine orchestration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the same means (the sea) bringing salvation to some and judgment to others picture the gospel's dividing effect?
- What does God's timing—water returning at the perfect moment—teach about His precision in judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's command to Moses—'Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians'—reverses the miracle. What provided salvation to Israel becomes judgment on Egypt. The same waters that walled protection now bring destruction. The comprehensive targets—'chariots, and...horsemen'—ensure total defeat. God's judgments are thorough, His deliverances complete.