Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "till your people pass by" isn't just about a future journey to the promised land, but highlights how the enemies' paralyzing fear is temporary, lasting only as long as it takes God's redeemed people to move through their territory. This shows God's power not only in delivering Israel but also in strategically incapacitating their foes for precisely the time needed.
Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of Moses' song of triumph celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, specifically the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Following that victory, Moses anticipates future challenges as Israel journeys towards the Promised Land, assuring them that even their future enemies will be paralyzed by fear of God's power. This section looks ahead to their entry into Canaan and God establishing them in their inheritance.
Imagine facing an enemy so terrifying that they can't even move. That's the picture painted here, not just of physical fear, but of a deep, paralyzing dread.
The song of Moses describes a supernatural terror falling upon the surrounding nations. It's not merely their own strength failing, but a divine intervention that renders them 'still as a stone.' This highlights God's power to incapacitate His enemies, not just through direct combat, but through overwhelming awe. This fear isn't a sign of weakness in God's people, but a testament to the sheer greatness of God's arm. The enemy's immobility is a direct result of God's mighty actions on behalf of Israel.
God didn't just save Israel; He 'purchased' them. What does that profound ownership mean for their journey?
The verse emphasizes that the enemy's stillness lasts only 'till your people pass by, whom you have purchased.' This 'purchase' speaks to a divine redemption, akin to buying someone out of slavery. God has claimed Israel as His own possession. This truth provides security and assurance for their passage through enemy territory and ultimately into the Promised Land. Their journey is not dependent on the enemy's permission or goodwill, but on God's sovereign plan and His rights over them as His redeemed people.
Understand the original words
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eymah · Hebrew Noun
A profound state of fear, trembling, or alarm, often induced by the manifestation of God's power, presence, or judgment. It signifies the overwhelming awe of those who realize they are in the presence of or under the authority of the Almighty.
pachad · Hebrew Noun
A deep, paralyzing sense of fearful awe or dread. Biblically, it often describes the psychological and spiritual reaction of those who witness the mighty acts of God against His enemies.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The primary personal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His covenantal relationship with His people. It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and faithful God who keeps His promises.
qanah · Hebrew Verb
To acquire or redeem something at a cost, establishing a legal and covenantal claim of ownership. In scripture, it refers to God securing Israel as His own possession through His redemptive actions.
This verse looks forward from the immediate aftermath of the Red Sea miracle. It anticipates that the 'terror and dread' inspired by God's power will continue to affect surrounding nations as Israel journeys towards and eventually enters the Promised Land, assuring them that God's protection will last until the full inheritance is secured.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israel Exits Egypt
Following God's intervention to plague Egypt and their subsequent flight, the Israelites have just crossed the Red Sea, a miraculous event that secured their immediate freedom.
c. 1446 BC
Journey Through the Wilderness
After the Red Sea crossing, the Israelites begin their long journey through the Sinai wilderness towards the Promised Land. This period is marked by challenges, divine provision, and ongoing encounters with hostile peoples.
c. 1445 BC
Confrontation with Edom and Moab
As the Israelites attempt to pass through the lands of Edom and Moab, these nations refuse passage and threaten war, forcing Israel to take a different route. This demonstrates that not all nations will be as paralyzed by fear as described in the song.
c. 1406 BC
Crossing the Jordan River
After forty years of wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, finally cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land of Canaan.
This passage echoes the 'terror' and 'dread' mentioned in Exodus 15:16, showing how the fear of the Israelites' God struck fear into the hearts of the Canaanites before Joshua's conquest.
Deuteronomy 2:25This verse directly references the fear and dread that fell upon the surrounding nations because of Israel's God, fulfilling the prophecy in Exodus 15:16 as they journeyed towards the promised land.
Psalm 31:17This Psalm speaks of the wicked being silenced and going to Sheol, mirroring the stillness and inability to act described in Exodus 15:16 due to divine intervention.
Isaiah 11:11-16This prophecy speaks of God's second gathering of His people, which includes His 'purchased' people passing through, with enemies subdued, echoing the theme of God's people passing through safely due to His power.
Revelation 15:2-4This passage describes a triumphant song sung by those victorious over the 'beast' and 'its image,' standing by a sea of glass with harps. This imagery connects to the victory song in Exodus 15 and the idea of God's people passing through to their final inheritance.
gillExodus 15:16: "Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased."
Fear and dread shall fall upon them.... On the several nations and people before mentioned, especially the Canaanites, which the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem interpret of the fear of death, lest the Israelites should fall upon them and destroy them, or God should fight for them, against…
cambridgeExodus 15:16: "Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased."
16 . Terror and dread fell upon them ; By the greatness of thine arm, they were as still as a stone : Till thy people passed through , O Yahweh , Till thy people passed through , which thou hadst purchased . Terror , &c.] Cf. Joshua 2:9 ‘and that your terror is fallen upon us.’ as still as a…
The phrase "till your people pass by" isn't just about a future journey to the promised land, but highlights how the enemies' paralyzing fear is temporary, lasting only as long as it takes God's redeemed people to move through their territory. This shows God's power not only in delivering Israel but also in strategically incapacitating their foes for precisely the time needed.
This verse is part of Moses' song of triumph celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, specifically the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Following that victory, Moses anticipates future challenges as Israel journeys towards the Promised Land, assuring them that even their future enemies will be paralyzed by fear of God's power. This section looks ahead to their entry into Canaan and God establishing them in their inheritance.
This verse is part of Moses' song of triumph celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, specifically the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Following that victory, Moses anticipates future challenges as Israel journeys towards the Promised Land, assuring them that even their future enemies will be paralyzed by fear of God's power. This section looks ahead to their entry into Canaan and God establishing them in their inheritance.
"Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased." — The phrase "till your people pass by" isn't just about a future journey to the promised land, but highlights how the enemies' paralyzing fear is temporary, lasting only as long as it takes God's re…
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Last reviewed October 2026