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Exodus 14:26 - Divine justice splits the sea

Exodus 14:26 - שמות 14:26

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה נְטֵה אֶת־יָדְךָ עַל־הַיָּם וְיָשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם עַל־מִצְרַיִם עַל־רִכְבּוֹ וְעַל־פָּרָשָׁיו׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Stretch out thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon Miżrayim, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe nete et-yadecha al-hayam ve'yashuvu hamayim al-Mitzrayim al-richbo ve'al-parashav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה נְטֵ֥ה אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ עַל־הַיָּ֑ם וְיָשֻׁ֤בוּ הַמַּ֙יִם֙ עַל־מִצְרַ֔יִם עַל־רִכְבּ֖וֹ וְעַל־פָּרָשָֽׁיו׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה נְטֵ֥ה אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ עַל־הַיָּ֑ם וְיָשֻׁ֤בוּ הַמַּ֙יִם֙ עַל־מִצְרַ֔יִם עַל־רִכְבּ֖וֹ וְעַל־פָּרָשָֽׁיו׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Command and Moshe's Role

This verse (Shemot 14:26) describes Hashem instructing Moshe to initiate the final stage of the miracle at the Yam Suf. Rashi explains that the phrase "נְטֵה אֶת־יָדְךָ" ("Stretch out your hand") emphasizes that the miracle required Moshe's active participation, demonstrating that righteous individuals partner with Hashem in bringing about divine justice. The Ramban adds that this act symbolized Moshe's leadership role in executing Hashem's judgment upon Mitzrayim.

The Mechanism of the Miracle

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 21:6) notes that the waters did not return to their natural state immediately but waited for Moshe's command, showing nature's submission to divine will. The Talmud (Sotah 36b) elaborates that the sea split through the merit of Yosef's bones being carried through it, connecting this miracle to earlier divine promises.

  • עַל־מִצְרַיִם עַל־רִכְבּוֹ וְעַל־פָּרָשָׁיו - The Malbim explains the threefold repetition of "upon" as indicating comprehensive judgment: upon the nation collectively, their military technology (chariots), and their elite warriors (horsemen).
  • Ibn Ezra observes that the command came precisely when the Egyptians were in the middle of the sea, demonstrating divine precision in judgment.

Theological Significance

The Sforno teaches that this event established for all generations that Hashem repays nations measure for measure - as the Egyptians drowned Jewish children, they were now drowned. The Kli Yakar emphasizes that the sea returned to its "natural" state (וְיָשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם) to show that what appeared as nature was actually divine providence.

Leadership Lessons

Rabbeinu Bachya derives from this verse that true leaders must be willing to take decisive action when required, even when facing overwhelming opposition. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that Moshe had to complete the miracle he began (when initially splitting the sea) to teach that spiritual leaders must see their missions through to completion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles at the Red Sea, particularly the role of Moses in parting the waters and then causing them to return.
📖 Megillah 10b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the divine intervention during the Exodus, emphasizing God's command to Moses to act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 14:26 mean?
A: Exodus 14:26 describes Hashem's command to Moshe to stretch his hand over the Yam Suf (Red Sea) so that the waters would return and drown the Egyptian army, including their chariots and horsemen. This was the final stage of the miraculous splitting of the sea, demonstrating Hashem's complete control over nature and His protection of Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel). Rashi explains that this was a divine punishment for the Egyptians who pursued the Jews after they were freed.
Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to stretch out his hand over the sea?
A: Hashem instructed Moshe to stretch out his hand to show that the miracle was performed through Moshe as Hashem's messenger. The Midrash teaches that this act reinforced Moshe’s leadership and the idea that miracles happen through human participation in Hashem’s plan. It also emphasized that the sea only returned to its natural state by divine command, not by chance.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 14:26?
A: This verse teaches us about bitachon (trust in Hashem) and the concept of divine justice. Just as Hashem saved Bnei Yisrael and punished their oppressors, we learn that He protects those who follow Him and holds oppressors accountable. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) also derives from such miracles that we must recognize Hashem’s hand in both personal and national events.
Q: How does the splitting of the sea apply to us today?
A: The miracle of the splitting of the sea (Kriyat Yam Suf) is remembered daily in Jewish prayer (e.g., in Az Yashir). It reminds us that Hashem can overturn nature to save His people. The Talmud (Pesachim 118a) teaches that this event set a precedent for future redemption, giving us hope that just as Hashem saved us then, He will redeem us again in the future.
Q: Why did the waters drown the Egyptians but not the Israelites?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 21:6) explains that the sea split into twelve paths for the tribes of Israel, with walls of water separating them, while the Egyptians were drowned when the waters returned. This shows that nature itself follows Hashem’s will—protecting the righteous while executing judgment on the wicked. The Talmud (Sotah 36b) also notes that the sea recognized its Creator and obeyed His command specifically for Bnei Yisrael.