Exodus 15:8
Exodus 15:8 in Multiple Translations
At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
By your breath the waves were massed together, the flowing waters were lifted up like a pillar; the deep waters became solid in the heart of the sea.
You blew and the sea piled up. The waves stood straight like a wall. The depths of the ocean turned solid.
And by the blast of thy nostrels the waters were gathered, the floods stoode still as an heape, the depthes congealed together in the heart of the Sea.
And by the spirit of Thine anger Have waters been heaped together; Stood as a heap have flowings; Congealed have been depths In the heart of a sea.
With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were collected, the floods stood upright as a heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
And with the blast of thy anger the waters were gathered together: the flowing water stood, the depth were gathered together in the midst of the sea.
You blew on the sea, and the water piled up high; the water stood up like two walls. In the deepest part of the sea the water became thick/solid, as though it was frozen.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 15:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 15:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְ/ר֤וּחַ
אַפֶּ֨י/ךָ֙
נֶ֣עֶרְמוּ
מַ֔יִם
נִצְּב֥וּ
כְמוֹ
נֵ֖ד
נֹזְלִ֑ים
קָֽפְא֥וּ
תְהֹמֹ֖ת
בְּ/לֶב
יָֽם
וּ/בְ/ר֤וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
Conj | Prep | N-cs
אַפֶּ֨י/ךָ֙
ʼaph
H639
face
N-md | Suff
נֶ֣עֶרְמוּ
ʻâram
H6192
to pile up
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
מַ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
נִצְּב֥וּ
nâtsab
H5324
to stand
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
כְמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep
נֵ֖ד
nêd
H5067
heap
N-ms
נֹזְלִ֑ים
nâzal
H5140
to flow
V-Qal
קָֽפְא֥וּ
qâphâʼ
H7087
to congeal
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
תְהֹמֹ֖ת
tᵉhôwm
H8415
abyss
N-cp
בְּ/לֶב
lêb
H3820
heart
Prep | N-ms
יָֽם
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 15:8
וּ/בְ/ר֤וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
אַפֶּ֨י/ךָ֙
ʼaph
H639
"face"
N-md | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
נֶ֣עֶרְמוּ
ʻâram
H6192
"to pile up"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To pile something up, such as gathering or heaping things together. This concept appears in the Bible, where people collect resources or build structures, highlighting the idea of accumulation and preparation.
Definition: (Niphal) to heap up, pile, be heaped up
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: gather together. See also: Exodus 15:8.
מַ֔יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
נִצְּב֥וּ
nâtsab
H5324
"to stand"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.
כְמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
נֵ֖ד
nêd
H5067
"heap"
N-ms
A heap or mound, like a wave, as described in Job 39:10.
Definition: heap
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: heap. See also: Exodus 15:8; Psalms 33:7; Psalms 78:13.
נֹזְלִ֑ים
nâzal
H5140
"to flow"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to flow or drip, like a stream or flood, and is used to describe the movement of water. It appears in descriptions of natural wonders, like rivers and waterfalls. In the Bible, it is used in Isaiah 44:3 to describe God's blessings flowing like a river.
Definition: 1) to flow, distil, flow forth or down, trickle, drop 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flow 1a1a) streams, floods (participle) 1a2) to distil 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to flow
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: distil, drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing), gush out, melt, pour (down), running water, stream. See also: Exodus 15:8; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 78:16.
קָֽפְא֥וּ
qâphâʼ
H7087
"to congeal"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word describes something becoming thick or frozen, like curdled milk or a dark sky, as seen in Job 28:10. It can also refer to a liquid congealing or settling. The KJV translates it as congeal or curdle.
Definition: v 1) to thicken, condense, congeal, settle, become dense 1a) (Qal) to be condensed 1a1) thickening (participle) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to curdle
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: congeal, curdle, dark, settle. See also: Exodus 15:8; Zephaniah 1:12; Zechariah 14:6.
תְהֹמֹ֖ת
tᵉhôwm
H8415
"abyss"
N-cp
Tehom refers to the deep waters of the ocean or sea, including the subterranean water supply. It can also describe the primeval ocean or the abyss.
Definition: 1) deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea 1a) deep (of subterranean waters) 1b) deep, sea, abysses (of sea) 1c) primeval ocean, deep 1d) deep, depth (of river) 1e) abyss, the grave
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: deep (place), depth. See also: Genesis 1:2; Psalms 78:15; Psalms 33:7.
בְּ/לֶב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
Prep | N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
יָֽם
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 15:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 15:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 15:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 15:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 15:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
- Sermons on Exodus 15:8
Context — The Song at the Sea
6Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
7You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble.
8At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
9The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ 10But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 4:9 | By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed. |
| 2 | Psalms 78:13 | He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall. |
| 3 | Exodus 14:21–22 | Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. |
| 4 | Isaiah 11:4 | but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. |
| 5 | 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 22:16 | The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. |
| 7 | Habakkuk 3:10 | The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high. |
| 8 | Isaiah 37:7 | Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’” |
Exodus 15:8 Summary
Exodus 15:8 describes a miraculous event where God used His powerful breath to part the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army. This verse shows us that God is all-powerful and in control of creation, just like He was when He created the world in Genesis 1:1. The image of the waters piling up like a wall is a reminder that God can do the impossible and provide a way out of even the most difficult situations, as seen in Isaiah 43:2. By trusting in God's power and majesty, we can face our own challenges with confidence and faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'the blast of Your nostrils' in Exodus 15:8?
This phrase is a poetic way of describing God's powerful breath, similar to how He breathed life into Adam in Genesis 2:7, and it demonstrates His control over creation, as seen in Psalm 33:6.
How did the waters pile up like a wall in the heart of the sea?
According to Exodus 15:8, it was at the blast of God's nostrils that the waters piled up, showing God's miraculous power to manipulate the natural world, much like He did when He parted the Jordan River in Joshua 3:13-17.
What does it mean that 'the depths congealed' in this verse?
The phrase 'the depths congealed' suggests that even the deepest parts of the sea were affected by God's power, becoming solid or still, which is a testament to God's omnipotence, as declared in Jeremiah 32:17.
Is this event in Exodus 15:8 a historical record or a poetic expression?
While the language used is poetic, the event described is based on the historical record of the parting of the Red Sea, as recorded in Exodus 14:13-31, and is meant to convey the awe-inspiring power and majesty of God.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of God's powerful breath in Exodus 15:8 make you think about His power in your own life?
- What are some ways you have seen God's power and majesty at work in the world, and how can you apply that to your faith?
- Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed, like the waters were piling up against you - how did God provide a way of escape or calm the storm?
- In what ways can you apply the concept of God's control over creation to your daily life and challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 15:8
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together,.... From the bottom of the sea, and divided and laid on heaps; and this by a strong east wind, called the blast of the nostrils
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 15:8
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
Of thy nostrils; or, of thine anger, to wit. that vehement east wind, 14:21, which was raised by thine anger in order to the ruin of thine enemies. The floods, Heb. the streams, or the flowing waters, whose nature it is to be constantly in motion. Were congealed, i.e. hardened, stood still, as if they had been frozen, and so they were a wall on both hands, . In the heart of the sea, i.e. the midst; as that word is used, 46:2 .
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
Exodus 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.Ver. 8. And with the blast.] In celebrating God’ s favours, we must be punctual and particular.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
(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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
Verse 8. The depths were congealed] The strong east wind (Exodus 14:21) employed to dry the bottom of the sea, is here represented as the blast of God's nostrils that had congealed or frozen the waters, so that they stood in heaps like a wall on the right hand and on the left.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 15:8
8. the blast of thy nostrils] Fig. for the wind (v. 10), as Psalms 18:15. were piled up] The hyperbole, as Exodus 14:22 (the ‘wall’). The Heb. word occurs only here. ‘Heap’ in Rth 3:7 is cognate. floods] or streams, lit. the flowing ones. A poet. word; cf. Psalms 78:16; Psalms 78:44, Son 4:15, Isaiah 44:3. an heap] Cf. Joshua 3:13; Joshua 3:16; Psalms 78:13. congealed] or, solidified (cf. Zephaniah 1:12 RVm.,—the same word). the heart of the sea] Cf. Psalms 46:2, Ezekiel 27:4.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 15:8
6-8. Second strain. Now the poet breaks out into a bold apostrophe to Jehovah.
Sermons on Exodus 15:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Great Welsh Revival by Bob Doom | In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Psalm 78 and the importance of passing down God's laws and teachings to future generations. He laments the fact that society has n |
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A Message for New Christians by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of four steps to reach the Promised Land. The first step is separation from sin, where individuals must distance themselves f |
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The Worms Shall Crawl Out of Their Holes by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the loss of trust and confidence in various institutions, including the judicial system, school system, and even marriage. He highlights the p |
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(Exodus) Exodus 14:13-16 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. He emphasizes that it is God who works on their behalf and they simply need to a |
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Comfort Proclaimed by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of comforting others in times of sorrow and distress. It encourages believers to find solace in God's presence and to share the mess |
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What Holds Back Revival by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of doing kind deeds as a way to open doors for sharing one's testimony. The preacher also highlights the need for personal sa |
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Taking Back Your Song in the Night by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude and praise to Jesus. They emphasize the importance of thanking and praising God. The speaker then shares a personal story |