Bible Strands
Exodus 14:26
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses immediately after the Egyptian chariot wheels fail and the army declares flight. This command occurs at the climax of the crossing, directing the reversal of the parted waters.
The words — The imperative נְטֵה (ne.Teh) commands Moses to “stretch out” his יָדְ/ךָ֖ (ya.de./Kha), literally “your hand,” over the sea. This verb directs a physical gesture that triggers the waters’ return.
The thread — The gesture of stretching a hand over water recurs in Exodus 14:16 to divide the sea and Exodus 8:5 to bring plagues upon Egypt’s rivers. It echoes the Nile’s role in Exodus 1:22, linking Pharaoh’s violence against Hebrew sons to his ultimate defeat in the same waters.
Why it lands — It requires obedience to a specific, timed command that shifts divine action from protection to judgment. The verse places the mechanism of deliverance and destruction in a single gesture dependent on Moses’ compliance.
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, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
Cross-references
- Exodus 14:16 And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
- Exodus 8:5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers and canals and ponds, and cause the frogs to come up onto the land of Egypt.’”
- Exodus 1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”
- Exodus 7:19 And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and all the reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.”
- Judges 1:6 As Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
- Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
- Matthew 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”