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.
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.
- BSB But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right 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.
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 14:22The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
- Josh 3:16the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over near Jericho.
- Isa 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
- Isa 51:10Isn’t it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?
- Isa 63:12–13Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand? Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
- Ps 78:52–53But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
- Job 38:8–11“Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke out of the womb,
- Ps 77:19–20Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.
- Isa 51:13Have you forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he prepares to destroy? Where is the fury of the oppressor?
- Ps 66:6–7He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river 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.