Bible Strands
Exodus 14:15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses at the Red Sea shore while the Israelites stand between the waters and the approaching Egyptian army. This occurs immediately after the command to cease intercession and remain still.
The words — The Hebrew verb תִּצְעַק (titz.'Ak) literally means "are you crying out," directly addressing Moses’s recent prayer. The imperative דַּבֵּר (da.Ber) commands him to "speak" or "tell" the people to advance.
The thread — This divine rebuke to cease intercession and proceed mirrors Joshua 7:10 and Ezra 10:4, where God commands leaders to rise and act rather than remain passive. It also follows Exodus 17:4, where Moses previously cried out in distress and received direct instruction.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate obedience over continued petition, replacing prayer with movement when divine action has already been promised. It requires the reader to recognize when God’s directive has shifted from waiting to advancing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
Cross-references
- Joshua 7:10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
- Ezra 10:4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”
- Exodus 17:4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”
- Nehemiah 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea.