What Does Exodus 15:6 Mean?

(6-10) The second stanza, or strophe, expands the subject-matter of the first. It begins, like the first, with some general expressions, setting forth the glory and power of Jehovah (Exodus 15:6-7), as shown in the recent catastrophe. From this it proceeds to the catastrophe itself, which it describes in considerable detail, noting (1) the sudden rise of the wind (Exodus 15:8); (2) the gathering together of the waters into separate masses (*ibid*.); (3) the boastful and vindictive temper of the Egyptians (*ibid.*); (4) the rise of a second wind (Exodus 15:9); (5) the consequent return of the waters; and (6) the submerging of the host by them. The second stanza is considerably longer than the first, consisting of twelve, whereas the first consists of only seven, lines. (6) **Thy right hand.**—Here is a second anthropomorphism, following naturally on the first, and occuring in the later Scriptures frequently, though now used for the first time. **Hath dashed in pieces.**—Rather, *dashes in pieces. *The verb is in the future, but is a future of continuance. **Thou hast overthrown . . . —**Heb., *thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee; thou sendest forth thy wrath: it consumeth them like stubble.* **The blast of thy nostrils.**—The “east wind” of Exodus 14:21. (Comp. Psalm 18:15.) As a physical effect, the gathering together of the waters, is ascribed to the “blast,” we must understand a physical cause. Otherwise, God’s wrath might be meant, as in Job 4:9. **The floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed.**—The literalism which, taking its stand on these phrases, maintains that the water “gave up its nature (Kalisch) indicates an inability to distinguish poetry from prose, and fact from imagery. As well might it be held that the east wind was actually the breath of God’s nostrils. (See the Note on Exodus 14:22.)