And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

EXODUS 15:7KJV
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Exodus 15:7 (KJV)

What does Exodus 15:7 mean?

Exodus 15:7 describes how God, in His overwhelming greatness and majesty, defeated those who opposed Him by unleashing His anger, which destroyed them as quickly and completely as fire burns up dry straw. The verse highlights God’s power to overcome any enemy that rises against Him.

In this verse, Moses and the Israelites are singing a song of praise to God after their escape from Egypt and the defeat of Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. The language emphasizes God’s unmatched strength and the total destruction of those who challenge Him, using vivid imagery to help the people remember how decisively God acted on their behalf.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 15:7

  • "Greatness" (רֹב, rov, H7230) refers to abundance or vastness, stressing the overwhelming scale of God’s power in this context.
  • "Excellency" (גְּאוּת, ge’ut, H1347) means majesty or loftiness, pointing to God’s supreme and exalted nature.
  • "Overthrown" (הָרַס, haras, H2040) often means to demolish or tear down, highlighting the complete and forceful defeat of God’s enemies.
  • "Consumed" (אָכַל, akal, H398) literally means to eat or devour, which gives the image of God’s wrath utterly destroying the opposition, just as fire devours stubble.
  • "Stubble" (קַשׁ, qash, H7179) refers to dry plant stalks left after harvesting, which burn up quickly and easily, emphasizing how swiftly God’s wrath dealt with the Egyptians.

Why Exodus 15:7 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that God’s victory was partial or uncertain; the language shows a total and overwhelming defeat of His enemies.
  • The imagery of stubble helps the reader grasp how effortless it was for God to destroy those who opposed Him, reinforcing the theme of His unmatched power.
  • Exodus 15:7 fits into the larger song of Moses, which celebrates not just deliverance but the character of God as a mighty protector and judge.

Where else these words appear

“stubble” Hebrew H7179 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
  • Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
  • Jeremiah 13:24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

“wrath” Hebrew H2740 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
  • Job 20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
  • Jeremiah 25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

“overthrown” Hebrew H2040 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 19:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
  • Psalms 58:6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
  • Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

“excellency” Hebrew H1347 · used in 45 verses

  • Leviticus 26:19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • Ezekiel 24:21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.