But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
- KJV But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
- NKJV But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
- NASB But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right and on their left.
- NLT But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Meanwhile Israel walked safely on dry land through the sea, the waters a wall on either side.
Overview
The narrative contrasts Israel's safe passage with Egypt's drowning, salvation and judgment side by side. The repeated image of walls of water highlights the security God provided His people. What was a way of life for Israel was a way of death for Egypt.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Exod 14:22and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.
- Josh 3:16the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
- Isa 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- Isa 51:10Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?
- Isa 63:12–13who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,
- Ps 78:52–53He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
- Job 38:8–11Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
- Ps 77:19–20Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found.
- Isa 51:13But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?
- Ps 66:6–7He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 14:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.