Exodus 14:27
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּט֩
stretched forth
H5186
וַיֵּט֩
stretched forth
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
1 of 20
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 #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָד֜וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֜וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 20
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 #:
5 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיָּֽם׃
and the sea
H3220
הַיָּֽם׃
and the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 20
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
וַיָּ֨שָׁב
returned
H7725
וַיָּ֨שָׁב
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 20
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַיָּֽם׃
and the sea
H3220
הַיָּֽם׃
and the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
8 of 20
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
לִפְנ֥וֹת
appeared
H6437
לִפְנ֥וֹת
appeared
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
9 of 20
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
בֹּ֙קֶר֙
when the morning
H1242
בֹּ֙קֶר֙
when the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
לְאֵ֣יתָנ֔וֹ
to his strength
H386
לְאֵ֣יתָנ֔וֹ
to his strength
Strong's:
H386
Word #:
11 of 20
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
מִצְרַ֖יִם
and the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֖יִם
and the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
12 of 20
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
נָסִ֣ים
fled
H5127
נָסִ֣ים
fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
13 of 20
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
against
H7125
לִקְרָאת֑וֹ
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
14 of 20
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
יְהוָ֛ה
it and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
it and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְרַ֖יִם
and the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֖יִם
and the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
18 of 20
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
Cross References
Joshua 4:18And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.Psalms 78:53And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Historical Context
The morning light revealed the returning waters. Egypt's attempted flight showed they recognized danger but couldn't escape. The sea's violence in returning to its place swept away the entire force.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the sea 'returning to its strength' picture natural order resuming to judge those who oppose God?
- What does the LORD actively overthrowing rather than passively allowing destruction teach about judgment's nature?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses' obedience—'stretched forth his hand over the sea'—again activates judgment. The timing 'when the morning appeared' (at dawn) means Egyptians saw the wall of water returning. The phrase 'the sea returned to his strength' indicates waters resumed their natural course violently. Egypt's attempt to flee came too late—'the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.' God didn't merely allow drowning; He actively overthrew them.