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.
What does Exodus 15:16 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 15:16-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Exodus 15:16
Fear and dread shall fall upon them....
Key words
- dread
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Fear and dread shall fall upon them.
- them
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Fear and dread shall fall upon them.
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.
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