Exodus 15:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 15:5 mean?

Exodus 15:5 describes how the Egyptian army was overwhelmed by the sea during their pursuit of the Israelites, sinking quickly and completely beneath the water. The verse uses the image of sinking "as a stone" to show how swiftly and thoroughly they were swallowed up.

Moses and the Israelites are singing a song of victory to God after crossing the Red Sea. This verse is part of their praise, recalling how God’s intervention caused the Egyptian forces to be covered and lost in the depths of the sea, leaving no trace behind. The language highlights the finality and totality of the Egyptians’ defeat.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 15:5

• "depths" (תְּהֹמֹת, tehomot): This word often refers to deep waters or the chaotic depths of the sea, emphasizing how completely the Egyptians were submerged.
• "covered" (כָּסָה, kasah): This verb means to cover over or conceal, stressing that the Egyptians were not just drowned but hidden from sight by the waters.
• "sank" (יָרַד, yarad): This word means to go down or descend, describing the Egyptians’ rapid plunge beneath the surface.
• "bottom" (מְצוּלָה, metsulah): This refers to the very depths or the deep part of the sea, underlining how far down the Egyptians fell.
• "as" (כְּמוֹ, kemo) and "stone" (אֶבֶן, even): The comparison to a stone makes the image vivid, showing how quickly and helplessly the Egyptians sank.

Why Exodus 15:5 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that the Egyptian army might have survived or escaped; the language stresses their complete and irreversible defeat.
• The vivid imagery connects back to the earlier narrative of the Red Sea crossing, reinforcing the miraculous nature of Israel’s deliverance.
• The verse sets a tone of awe and gratitude in the song, helping the reader feel the weight of what God did for the Israelites.