Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
Exodus

Chapter 15

The Song at the Sea and The Waters of Marah

Exodus 15 begins with Israel singing over the sea, praising the LORD for throwing down Pharaoh and confessing that his victory will carry his people into the place he has prepared. The chapter then turns quickly into the wilderness, where bitter water becomes a test of trust, and the LORD answers complaint with provision, instruction, and healing.

After the sea crossing in Exodus 14, this chapter lets Israel answer deliverance with worship before the wilderness journey begins. It closes the Egypt rescue and opens the pattern of testing, grumbling, and provision that will shape the chapters ahead.

2 sections·360 words·~2 min read

Begin reading Zoom into first section
Reader

Exodus 15

A continuous BSB reading flow. Turn on the guide when you want authored orientation; leave it off when you simply want the text.

vv. 1-21

The Song at the Sea

Open section

T1hen Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: 2The LORD is my strength and my song, 3The LORD is a warrior,

4Pharaoh’s chariots and army 5The depths have covered them; 6Your right hand, O LORD, 7You overthrew Your adversaries 8At the blast of Your nostrils 9The enemy declared, 10But You blew with Your breath,

11Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? 12You stretched out Your right hand, 13With loving devotion You will lead

14The nations will hear and tremble; 15Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; 16and terror and dread will fall on them. 17You will bring them in and plant them 18The LORD will reign forever and ever!”

19For when Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. 21And Miriam sang back to them:

vv. 22-27

The Waters of Marah

Open section

T22hen Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water. 23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) 24So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened.

26There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

27Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters.

Section map

Open the closer view when you want it.

Each section keeps the passage focused, adds summaries and cross references, and gives verse-level links.

  1. 01vv. 1-21The Song at the SeaMoses and Israel sing the sea victory as the LORD's own triumph over Pharaoh, praising his strength, his unmatched holiness, and his promise to bring his people into his dwelling place. Miriam and the women then answer the song with dancing and refrain, sealing the chapter's joy in shared worship.
  2. 02vv. 22-27The Waters of MarahFrom the Red Sea Israel enters the desert and quickly meets thirst, bitterness, and complaint. The LORD makes the waters sweet, gives a testing word about listening and healing, and then leads them on to Elim, where water is abundant.
Previous Chapter 14All 40 chapters in ExodusNextChapter 16