Exodus 14:18
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that God's glory isn't just for the Israelites, but for their oppressors too. The destruction of Pharaoh's mighty army is a dramatic public declaration, ensuring that even those who actively opposed Him would ultimately "know" His power and sovereignty.
Pharaoh, realizing Israel has unexpectedly turned back toward the sea, sees a strategic trap and pursues them with his chariots, determined to recapture them. This pursuit leads the Israelites into a seemingly inescapable situation between the sea and Pharaoh's army, prompting their fearful cries to God. In this critical moment, God intends to demonstrate His absolute power by destroying the Egyptian forces, thereby revealing His true identity and might to both Egyptians and the Israelites.
What does it mean to 'know' God? In this verse, God declares His intention for both Egyptians and Israelites to know Him in a profound way. It's not just intellectual assent, but a deep, undeniable recognition of who He is.
A Name to Know
The verse highlights God's name, 'the LORD' (Yahweh). This isn't just a label, but a declaration of His eternal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature.
Revelation Through Action
God's knowledge of Himself isn't passive. It's revealed through His mighty acts. Here, the dramatic destruction of Pharaoh's army is the ultimate demonstration of His power and sovereignty. The Egyptians who witness or hear of this event, and the Israelites who experience it, will come to 'know' that the LORD is God, not merely as a concept, but as a living, active force.
Glory Earned
The phrase 'gotten me honour' signifies that God's glory is not diminished. Instead, His actions in this situation bring Him the recognition and awe He deserves. His power over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen serves to magnify His own name.
Pharaoh's pride and oppression led him and his army to the very place of their destruction. This event wasn't just a display of God's power, but also a powerful act of justice and deliverance.
The Tyrant's Downfall
Pharaoh, representing oppressive power and resistance to God, is central to this divine judgment. His chariots and horsemen, symbols of Egypt's military might, are instruments of his downfall. God's actions are specifically targeted against the very forces that sought to keep His people enslaved.
A Divine Reckoning
The destruction of Pharaoh's army is a clear act of divine justice. It balances the scales for the generations of oppression the Israelites had endured. By defeating Egypt's pride and power, God demonstrates that no earthly force can ultimately stand against Him or His redeemed people.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the God of Israel (YHWH), representing His eternal, self-existent, and immutable nature; He is the One who enters into a personal, redemptive relationship with His people.
This event wasn't just about an escape; it was a cosmic declaration of God's power over Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's might, intended to be witnessed and remembered by all nations.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
Following the ten plagues, the Israelites were finally permitted to leave Egypt after centuries of slavery. Pharaoh, however, soon regretted letting them go.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Pursues Israel
Pharaoh, with his mighty army, including chariots and horsemen, pursued the fleeing Israelites, trapping them between the wilderness and the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
The Parting of the Red Sea
God intervened miraculously, parting the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape on dry ground, with a pillar of cloud and fire protecting them from the Egyptians.
c. 1446 BC
Destruction of the Egyptian Army
As the Israelites crossed, the sea returned to its normal state, drowning Pharaoh, his chariots, his horsemen, and the entire pursuing army.
This verse echoes the same theme of the Egyptians knowing the LORD through His mighty acts, setting a precedent for the climactic event at the Red Sea.
Psalm 76:10This Psalm speaks of God's wrath and judgment leading to His renown, mirroring how the destruction of Pharaoh brings glory to the LORD.
Isaiah 43:17This passage from Isaiah directly references the drowning of Egypt's chariots and horses, highlighting the lasting impact of this event on the LORD's reputation.
Ezekiel 39:13Similar to Exodus, this verse describes the nations knowing the LORD through His judgment and the burial of His enemies, emphasizing God's power displayed through defeat of His foes.
gillExodus 14:18: "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen."
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord,.... Acknowledge him to be Jehovah, the self-existent, eternal, and immutable Being, the one only living and true God, who is wise and powerful, faithful, just, and true; that is, those Egyptians that were left behind in Egypt, hearing what was done at the Red sea; for as for those that came with Pha…
cambridgeExodus 14:18: "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen."
18 . when I have gotten , &c.] For the form of sentence, cf. Exodus 7:5 .
This verse highlights that God's glory isn't just for the Israelites, but for their oppressors too. The destruction of Pharaoh's mighty army is a dramatic public declaration, ensuring that even those who actively opposed Him would ultimately "know" His power and sovereignty.
Pharaoh, realizing Israel has unexpectedly turned back toward the sea, sees a strategic trap and pursues them with his chariots, determined to recapture them. This pursuit leads the Israelites into a seemingly inescapable situation between the sea and Pharaoh's army, prompting their fearful cries to God. In this critical moment, God intends to demonstrate His absolute power by destroying the Egyptian forces, thereby revealing His true identity and might to both Egyptians and the Israelites.
Pharaoh, realizing Israel has unexpectedly turned back toward the sea, sees a strategic trap and pursues them with his chariots, determined to recapture them. This pursuit leads the Israelites into a seemingly inescapable situation between the sea and Pharaoh's army, prompting their fearful cries to God. In this critical moment, God intends to demonstrate His absolute power by destroying the Egyptian forces, thereby revealing His true identity and might to both Egyptians and the Israelites.
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The Contrast of Experience
While the Egyptians face judgment, Israel experiences salvation. The same sea that drowns their pursuers becomes a path of freedom for God's chosen people. This stark contrast highlights the dual nature of God's intervention: judgment for the wicked and deliverance for the righteous.
c. 1446 BC
The Song of the Sea
After their miraculous deliverance, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to God, celebrating His power and faithfulness.
"And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”" — This verse highlights that God's glory isn't just for the Israelites, but for their oppressors too. The destruction of Pharaoh's mighty army is a dramatic public declaration, ensuring that even those…
