And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

NEHEMIAH 9:11KJV
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Nehemiah 9:11 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:11 mean?

Nehemiah 9:11 recalls how God parted the sea so the Israelites could cross safely on dry ground, while their enemies were thrown into the deep waters and destroyed. The verse highlights God’s power to save His people and defeat those who pursued them.

In this chapter, the Levites are leading the people of Israel in a prayer of confession and remembrance. They are retelling key moments from Israel’s history to praise God’s faithfulness. Nehemiah 9:11 specifically refers to the crossing of the Red Sea during the Exodus, emphasizing God’s miraculous intervention and protection.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:11

  • "Divide" (בָּקַע, baqa‘): This word means to split or break open. It stresses the dramatic nature of the sea being parted, not just gently moved aside.
  • "Deeps" (מְצוּלָה, mᵊtsulah): This term refers to the deep or abyss, often used for the deepest parts of the sea. It paints a vivid picture of the Egyptians being overwhelmed and lost in the vast, powerful waters.
  • "Mighty" (עָזוּב, ‘azuv): This word means strong or mighty, describing the force of the waters that closed over the Egyptians, showing the unstoppable power at work.

Why Nehemiah 9:11 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:11 helps the reader see that the prayer is not just about confession but also about remembering God’s past acts of deliverance, which builds trust in His ongoing care.
  • The verse clarifies that the Israelites’ escape was not by their own strength but by God’s direct action, reinforcing the theme of dependence on God.
  • By mentioning both the Israelites’ safe passage and the destruction of their persecutors, the verse highlights God’s justice and His commitment to protect His people from harm.

Where else these words appear

“deeps” Hebrew H4688 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
  • Psalms 69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
  • Psalms 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

“land” Hebrew H3004 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
  • Psalms 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

“mighty” Hebrew H5794 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

“divide” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.