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.

EXODUS 14:28KJV
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Exodus 14:28 (KJV)

What does Exodus 14:28 mean?

Exodus 14:28 says that when the waters of the sea returned to their normal place, they completely covered Pharaoh’s entire army—including the chariots and horsemen—that had followed the Israelites into the sea, and not a single one of them survived. This verse emphasizes the total destruction of Pharaoh’s pursuing forces as the Israelites escaped.

In this part of Exodus, the Israelites have just crossed the parted Red Sea, led by Moses, while Pharaoh’s army chases after them. Once the Israelites are safely across, the waters (which had been held back) rush back over the Egyptians, wiping out all who had entered the sea in pursuit. The verse highlights the completeness of the event—no one from Pharaoh’s host remained.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 14:28

  • "waters" (מַיִם, mayim, H4325): This word refers to the sea itself, and here it is the returning sea that brings about the destruction. The use of "waters" underscores the overwhelming force involved.
  • "returned" (שׁוּב, shuv, H7725): This verb means to turn back or return. It is used here to show that the sea went back to its usual state, which is a reversal of the miracle that allowed the Israelites to cross.
  • "covered" (כָּסָה, kasah, H3680): This word means to cover or conceal. In this context, it stresses that the waters completely engulfed the Egyptians, leaving no survivors visible.
  • "host" (חַיִל, chayil, H2428): This term often means an army or force. It highlights that it was not just a few soldiers, but Pharaoh’s full military strength that was destroyed.

Why Exodus 14:28 matters

  • Exodus 14:28 clears up any doubt about whether some of Pharaoh’s army escaped; the verse stresses that not even one survived, showing the completeness of the event.
  • The verse highlights the dramatic reversal: the same waters that made a path for the Israelites became the means of judgment for the Egyptians.
  • This detail connects to the broader story by showing God’s protection of the Israelites and the finality of their deliverance from Egyptian oppression.

Where else these words appear

“horsemen” Hebrew H6571 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

“as” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

“remained” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.