Exodus 14:29
But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְנֵ֧י
But the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֧י
But the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 11
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 #:
2 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָֽלְכ֥וּ
walked
H1980
הָֽלְכ֥וּ
walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּת֣וֹךְ
land in the midst
H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ
land in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
5 of 11
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 11
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
וְהַמַּ֤יִם
and the waters
H4325
וְהַמַּ֤יִם
and the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Historical Context
This verse deliberately contrasts verses 22 and 28, showing that Israel's path of salvation was Egypt's path of judgment. The same miracle produced radically different results for the two groups.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the same circumstance (the divided sea) producing opposite outcomes picture salvation's dividing line?
- What does walking on dry ground where enemies drowned teach about covenant protection in judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The explicit contrast—'But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea'—emphasizes the different outcomes for the two groups in the same location. Both were 'in the midst of the sea'; outcome depended on relationship with God. The repetition 'the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left' reinforces the miracle's magnitude. Same circumstances, opposite outcomes, based on covenant relationship.