Crossing the Red Sea

Illustration of Crossing the Red Sea

In the Book of Exodus, after the ten plagues compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he changed his mind and sent his army to recapture them at the Red Sea. Moses stretched out his staff at God's command, parting the waters so the people could cross on dry land with walls of water on either side, only for the sea to return and drown the pursuing Egyptian forces. This deliverance established Israel's national identity and covenant relationship with God, serving as a recurring theme of divine rescue throughout Scripture in psalms, prophecies, and later teachings on faith and redemption.

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Details

Era
Exodus & Conquest
Category
Exodus
Participants
Israel vs. Egypt
Outcome
Egyptian army destroyed
Divine Intervention
Yes

Key Passages

The Battle

Exodus 14:21-28

A21nd Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaohโ€™s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

Song of Victory

Exodus 15:1-5

T1hen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my fatherโ€™s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaohโ€™s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

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Did You Know?

1

Pharaoh's army included 600 chosen chariots. The elite special forces of Egypt.

2

The Israelites were completely trapped: sea ahead, army behind, mountains on both sides.

3

This is the only battle in Scripture where God says 'you need not fight'. He did it all.