Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

EXODUS 15:17KJV
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Exodus 15:17 (KJV)

What does Exodus 15:17 mean?

Exodus 15:17 describes how God will bring the Israelites into a special land, plant them securely there, and establish a sanctuary—a holy place made by God’s own hands—where He will dwell among them. This verse looks forward to the Israelites settling in the land God promised and to the building of a sacred place for God’s presence.

In this verse, Moses is singing a song of praise to God after the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea and escaped Egypt. The verse expresses confidence that God will not only deliver His people but also give them a permanent home and a place where they can worship Him. The language is full of hope and assurance about God’s future plans for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 15:17

  • The word “plant” (נָטַע, nata‘, H5193) is used here to picture God firmly placing the Israelites in their new land, like a gardener setting a tree in good soil so it can grow strong and secure.
  • “Mountain” (הַר, har, H2022) in this context often points to a specific, elevated place—later understood as Jerusalem or Zion—where God’s sanctuary would be built.
  • “Sanctuary” (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash, H4720) means a holy or set-apart place, emphasizing that this is not just any building, but a sacred space made for God’s presence.
  • The phrase “which thy hands have established” uses “hands” (יָד, yad, H3027) to stress God’s personal involvement and care in preparing this place, not just for the Israelites, but as a dwelling for Himself.

Why Exodus 15:17 matters

  • This verse clears up that the Israelites’ journey was not just about escaping Egypt, but about being brought into a lasting home where God would be present with them.
  • Exodus 15:17 connects the rescue from Egypt to the larger promise of a homeland and a sanctuary, showing that God’s plan included both physical security and spiritual relationship.
  • The verse highlights that the sanctuary is God’s own work—His “hands” establish it—so it is not just a human project, but something God Himself prepares for His people.

Where else these words appear

“place” Hebrew H4349 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
  • Psalms 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

“plant” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
  • Jeremiah 12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

“made” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Numbers 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
  • Psalms 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
  • Psalms 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

“Sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.