Exodus 14:16
What does Exodus 14:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 14:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 14:16 means
God gives Moses specific instructions: to lift his rod, stretch his hand over the sea, and divide it. This action will enable the Israelites to walk through the midst of the sea on dry ground. The rod, previously used for the plagues, is now a symbol of God's power to create a path of salvation. This command highlights Moses' role as God's instrument and emphasizes the miraculous nature of the impending event, where the natural order is overridden by divine authority for Israel's deliverance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And let your rod be lifted up and your hand stretched out over the sea, and it will be parted in two; and the children of Israel will go through on dry land.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thou, lift up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand towards the sea, and cleave it, and the sons of Israel go into the midst of the sea on dry land.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch forth thy hand over the sea, and divide it: that the children of Israel may go through the midst of the sea on dry ground.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thou, lift thy staff, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry [ground] through the midst of the sea.
Context
This verse provides the explicit divine instructions to Moses for parting the Red Sea, directly following God's command for the Israelites to move forward in verse 15. It details the physical action Moses must take, setting the stage for the actual miracle in verse 21. This command is central to the narrative, as it prepares for the dramatic display of God's power over creation.
v.15And Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.
v.16This passage
v.17And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 14:26
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
- Numbers 20:11
And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle.
- Isaiah 10:26
And Jehovah of hosts will stir up against him a scourge, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and his rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
- Exodus 14:21
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and Jehovah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
- Exodus 7:9
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.
- Exodus 7:19
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.
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