Exodus 15:21 - Miriam answered them, “Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Generated Verse: Exodus 15:21

What does "Exodus 15:21" mean?


Exodus 15:21 is part of the "Song of the Sea," a victory hymn sung by the Israelites after they miraculously crossed the Red Sea and escaped the pursuing Egyptian army. Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

"Miriam answered them...": Miriam was Moses' sister and a prophetess. This implies she led the women of Israel in a response to the song Moses and the men were singing (Exodus 15:1-18). It highlights her leadership role and the participation of women in celebrating God's deliverance.

"...“Sing to Yahweh...": The word "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The call to "sing to Yahweh" is a direct command to praise and worship God for His actions. It is a call for celebratory worship and acknowledgment of God's power.

"...for he has triumphed gloriously.": This is the central statement. "Triumphed gloriously" means God has won a decisive and magnificent victory. It emphasizes the completeness and grandeur of God's triumph over the Egyptians. This is not just any victory, but a victory filled with glory and majesty.

"The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”: This is the specific reason for the praise. It refers to the destruction of the Egyptian army, specifically the elite chariot forces (horse and rider) that were pursuing the Israelites. The phrase vividly depicts God's overwhelming power, able to submerge an entire army in the sea. The "horse and his rider" are symbols of Egyptian military might, and their destruction symbolizes the complete defeat of Pharaoh's forces and the end of the Israelite's oppression.

In summary, this verse is a powerful expression of praise to God for His miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It celebrates God's glorious victory over their enemies, symbolized by the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. It's a call to worship and acknowledge God's power and faithfulness.

The verse also underscores themes of:

Liberation: It marks the end of the Israelites' enslavement.
Divine Power: It demonstrates God's ability to intervene in history and overcome powerful enemies.
Faithfulness: It highlights God's commitment to His covenant with Israel.
Worship: It provides a model for how to respond to God's saving acts.