Exodus 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.
Study Note
Study Note
Embedded within the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1–18), one of the oldest poetic texts in the Hebrew Bible, this verse describes the paralysis of surrounding peoples at the news of Israel's deliverance — a motif of divine terror (pachad) that recurs in Deuteronomy, Joshua, and the Psalms. The phrase 'as still as a stone' employs vivid simile to contrast the immovable frozen enemies with the actively moving people of God passing through the sea. The verb 'purchased' (qanah) applied to Israel is theologically significant, suggesting an economic metaphor of divine ownership distinct from the warrior-triumph imagery surrounding it — Israel is both delivered and owned by God. Revelation 15:2–4 evokes this song when the victorious stand by the sea of glass, implying the Exodus remains the archetypal template for eschatological deliverance.
Other Translations
Terror and dread falleth upon them; By the greatness of thine arm they are as still as a stone; Till thy people pass over, O Jehovah, Till the people pass over that thou hast purchased.
Fall on them doth terror and dread; By the greatness of Thine arm They are still as a stone, Till Thy people pass over, O Jehovah; Till the people pass over Whom Thou hast purchased.
Fear and grief came on them; by the strength of your arm they were turned to stone; till your people went over, O Lord, till the people went over whom you have made yours.
Cross References
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths …
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, …
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: …
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth …
For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror …
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, …
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had …
He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall …
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount …