But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes that the waters formed walls on their right hand and on their left. This isn't just about the sea parting; it highlights the miraculous, protective barrier God provided, emphasizing His active safeguarding of His people as they walked through the impossible.
But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable sea, a dire situation that causes them to cry out in fear and accuse Moses. In response, God commands Moses to stretch out his hand, and a mighty east wind parts the waters, creating a dry path for Israel to cross. This miraculous passage, with the waters standing like walls on either side, immediately precedes God's command to Moses to bring the waters back, which would then engulf and destroy the pursuing Egyptians.
Imagine a wall of water towering on either side of you, a tempest raging around, yet you walk on solid ground. This wasn't just a natural event; it was a divine act that secured Israel's path to freedom.
Exodus 14:29 paints a powerful picture: 'But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.'
A Supernatural Pathway
The commentators highlight that this wasn't just any dry ground; it was a miraculous pathway carved through the sea. The waters, which typically represent chaos and the unknown, were held back and transformed into protective barriers.
This demonstrates God's ability to create safety and a clear path even in the most overwhelming and terrifying circumstances.
One side of the sea saw freedom, the other saw utter destruction. This stark contrast reveals God's dual action in this pivotal moment.
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The miracle at the Red Sea wasn't just about saving Israel; it was also about executing judgment on Egypt.
Two Sides of the Same Miracle
While Israel walked safely on dry ground, protected by the walls of water, the Egyptian army met its demise.
This event powerfully illustrates that God is both merciful to His people and a righteous judge of those who defy Him.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
Following God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through a series of plagues, they began their journey toward the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh Pursues Israel
After initially letting Israel go, Pharaoh changed his mind and mobilized his army to pursue them, trapping them between his forces and the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Parting of the Red Sea
God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and a strong east wind blew all night, dividing the waters and creating a dry path for the Israelites to cross.
c. 1446 BC
Destruction of the Egyptian Army
As the Israelites reached the other side, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand again, and the waters returned, drowning Pharaoh's army.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Song of Deliverance
In response to this miraculous salvation, Moses and the people of Israel sang a song of praise to God, acknowledging His power and faithfulness.
This passage echoes the awe and fear that the crossing of the Red Sea instilled in surrounding nations, showing how God's mighty acts at the sea became foundational knowledge for those who would later encounter Israel.
Psalm 114:3This psalm directly celebrates the Red Sea crossing, highlighting the sea's astonished retreat and the earth's trembling, mirroring the miraculous disruption of nature described in Exodus 14:29.
Isaiah 11:15This prophecy speaks of a future miraculous drying up of the Nile and Euphrates by God, drawing a clear parallel to the divine power displayed in parting the Red Sea and making a dry path for His people.
1 Corinthians 10:1Paul explicitly uses the Israelites' passage through the sea as a spiritual type for Christian baptism, underscoring the profound spiritual significance of this event as a liberation and new beginning.
Hebrews 11:29This verse in the Hall of Faith highlights the Israelites' act of faith in walking through the sea, emphasizing their obedient action in response to God's miraculous provision of a dry path.
cambridgeExodus 14:29: "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."
29 . A repetition, in P’s manner (cf. on Exodus 12:17-20 ), of the substance of the preceding narrative. The expressions, as v. 22, with ‘walked’ for ‘went into, because here the reference is to the entire passage through the Sea. the dry land ] better, the dry ground , as vv. 16, 22, and for distinction from v. 21b J (where the He…
calvinExodus 14:26-31: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared, and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
Et extendit Moses manum suam super mare, et reversum est mare quum mane illuxisset, secundum vim…
The text emphasizes that the waters formed walls on their right hand and on their left. This isn't just about the sea parting; it highlights the miraculous, protective barrier God provided, emphasizing His active safeguarding of His people as they walked through the impossible.
The Israelites are trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable sea, a dire situation that causes them to cry out in fear and accuse Moses. In response, God commands Moses to stretch out his hand, and a mighty east wind parts the waters, creating a dry path for Israel to cross. This miraculous passage, with the waters standing like walls on either side, immediately precedes God's command to Moses to bring the waters back, which would then engulf and destroy the pursuing Egyptians.
The Israelites are trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable sea, a dire situation that causes them to cry out in fear and accuse Moses. In response, God commands Moses to stretch out his hand, and a mighty east wind parts the waters, creating a dry path for Israel to cross. This miraculous passage, with the waters standing like walls on either side, immediately precedes God's command to Moses to bring the waters back, which would then engulf and destroy the pursuing Egyptians.
"But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left." — The text emphasizes that the waters formed walls on their right hand and on their left. This isn't just about the sea parting; it highlights the miraculous, protective barrier God provided, emphasi…
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Last reviewed October 2026