Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָּֽאֵלִם֙
among the gods
H410
בָּֽאֵלִם֙
among the gods
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
3 of 12
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יְהוָ֔ה
Who is like unto thee O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
Who is like unto thee O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִ֥י
H4310
מִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
נֶאְדָּ֣ר
who is like thee glorious
H142
נֶאְדָּ֣ר
who is like thee glorious
Strong's:
H142
Word #:
7 of 12
to expand, i.e., be great or (figuratively) magnificent
בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
in holiness
H6944
בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
in holiness
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
8 of 12
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Cross References
1 Kings 8:23And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:1 Samuel 2:2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.2 Samuel 7:22Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.Revelation 4:8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.Isaiah 6:3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.Deuteronomy 3:24O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?Psalms 86:8Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.Psalms 77:14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.Revelation 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
Historical Context
Egypt claimed multiple gods controlling various domains. The plagues and Red Sea victory demonstrated YHWH's supremacy over all Egyptian deities—Hapi (Nile), Heqt (frogs), Ra (sun), Pharaoh (divine king).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'gods' (money, power, pleasure, self) compete with the LORD for your worship?
- How does meditating on God's incomparability affect your tendency toward functional polytheism (serving multiple loyalties)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question 'Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?' asserts incomparability. The term 'gods' (elim, אֵלִם) acknowledges other claimants to deity while denying their reality or power. The parallel question 'who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?' lists three divine attributes: holiness (separation from evil), praiseworthiness (even His judgments deserve worship), wonder-working (miraculous power). No competitor exists. This prefigures Mary's song (Luke 1:49).