Exodus 15:8
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְר֤וּחַ
And with the blast
H7307
וּבְר֤וּחַ
And with the blast
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 12
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙
of thy nostrils
H639
אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙
of thy nostrils
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
מַ֔יִם
the waters
H4325
מַ֔יִם
the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 12
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נִצְּב֥וּ
stood upright
H5324
נִצְּב֥וּ
stood upright
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
5 of 12
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
קָֽפְא֥וּ
were congealed
H7087
קָֽפְא֥וּ
were congealed
Strong's:
H7087
Word #:
9 of 12
to shrink, i.e., thicken (as unracked wine, curdled milk, clouded sky, frozen water)
תְהֹמֹ֖ת
and the depths
H8415
תְהֹמֹ֖ת
and the depths
Strong's:
H8415
Word #:
10 of 12
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
Cross References
Job 4:9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.Psalms 78:13He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.Habakkuk 3:10The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.2 Samuel 22:16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.2 Thessalonians 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Historical Context
The 'blast of nostrils' metaphor appears in Psalm 18:15 and Job 4:9, indicating God's power expressed through what seems natural. Wind and breath are linguistically related in Hebrew (ruach).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God using natural means (wind) for supernatural ends demonstrate His sovereignty over creation?
- What impossible situation needs God's 'breath' to suspend natural law in your favor?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The means of victory: 'with the blast of thy nostrils' anthropomorphizes God's breath as wind. This connects to 14:21's 'strong east wind'—natural means, supernatural orchestration. The result: 'the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap' pictures water defying gravity. The phrase 'the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea' suggests water solidified like ice—miraculous suspension of natural law. Creation obeys Creator.