Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
What does Exodus 15:15 mean?
This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Exodus 15:14-15 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Exodus 15:15
The dukes of Edom - See Genesis 36:15 . It denotes the chieftains, not the kings of Edom. The mighty men of Moab - The physical strength and great stature of the Moabites are noted in other passages: see Jeremiah 48:29 , Jeremiah 48:41 . Canaan - The name in this, as in many passages of Genesis, designates the whole of Palestine: and is used of course with reference to the promise to Abraham. It was known to the Egyptians, and occurs frequently on the monuments as Pa-kanana, which applies, if not to the whole of Palestine, yet to the northern district under Lebanon, which the Phoenicians occupied and called "Canaan.
Context in Exodus 15
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Exodus 15 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as plagues, Passover, and the crossing of the sea. Exodus tells the story of Israel’s rescue from Pharaoh, the revelation of the divine name, the covenant at Sinai, and the tabernacle where God chooses to dwell among his people. Read this chapter with the wider themes of redemption, Passover, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.