Exodus 15:13
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Original Language Analysis
נָחִ֥יתָ
hast led forth
H5148
נָחִ֥יתָ
hast led forth
Strong's:
H5148
Word #:
1 of 10
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
בְחַסְדְּךָ֖
Thou in thy mercy
H2617
בְחַסְדְּךָ֖
Thou in thy mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
2 of 10
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
עַם
the people
H5971
עַם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
גָּאָ֑לְתָּ
thou hast redeemed
H1350
גָּאָ֑לְתָּ
thou hast redeemed
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
5 of 10
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
נֵהַ֥לְתָּ
thou hast guided
H5095
נֵהַ֥לְתָּ
thou hast guided
Strong's:
H5095
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to run with a sparkle, i.e., flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain
בְעָזְּךָ֖
them in thy strength
H5797
בְעָזְּךָ֖
them in thy strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
7 of 10
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Cross References
Psalms 77:20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.Psalms 106:9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.Jeremiah 2:6Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.Ephesians 2:4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Genesis 19:16And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
Historical Context
This forward-looking confidence anticipates both the tabernacle (God's movable holy habitation) and later the temple in Jerusalem. It also anticipates Canaan as the land of God's presence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing redemption as God's 'mercy' rather than your merit affect your confidence in future guidance?
- What 'holy habitation' is God currently guiding you toward through wilderness experiences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The transition to future perspective: 'Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed.' The Hebrew 'chesed' (חֶסֶד) means covenant love, loyal kindness. Redemption ('gahal,' גָּאַל) means buying back what was lost. The ongoing action 'thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation' looks ahead to both Sinai (immediate) and Canaan (ultimate). Past redemption guarantees future guidance. Salvation includes destination, not merely departure.