Exodus 14:28
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ
returned
H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הַמַּ֗יִם
And the waters
H4325
הַמַּ֗יִם
And the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
2 of 18
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וַיְכַסּ֤וּ
and covered
H3680
וַיְכַסּ֤וּ
and covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרֶ֙כֶב֙
the chariots
H7393
הָרֶ֙כֶב֙
the chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
5 of 18
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים
and the horsemen
H6571
הַפָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים
and the horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
7 of 18
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
לְכֹל֙
H3605
לְכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵ֣יל
and all the host
H2428
חֵ֣יל
and all the host
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
9 of 18
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
הַבָּאִ֥ים
that came
H935
הַבָּאִ֥ים
that came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בַּיָּ֑ם
into the sea
H3220
בַּיָּ֑ם
into the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
13 of 18
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִשְׁאַ֥ר
them there remained
H7604
נִשְׁאַ֥ר
them there remained
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
Cross References
Psalms 78:53And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.Psalms 136:15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.Habakkuk 3:13Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.Hebrews 11:29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Historical Context
Egypt's elite military force—chariots, horsemen, infantry—was destroyed in one event. This crippled Egypt's power and sent shockwaves throughout the ancient Near East. The sudden reversal from pursuing conquerors to drowned corpses showed God's supremacy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's complete defeat of enemies demonstrate His thorough protection of His people?
- What does 'not so much as one' remaining teach about the finality of divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The comprehensive destruction—'the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh'—left no survivors. The phrase 'there remained not so much as one of them' emphasizes totality. This fulfilled God's promise of honor through complete victory. The contrast between Israel ('all that entered...after them') and Egypt's fate demonstrates salvation's dividing line—those who pursued God's people into death waters perished.