Clarke's Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:22
Verse 22. And the waters were a wall unto them on their right and on their left.] This verse demonstrates that the passage was miraculous. Some have supposed that the Israelites had passed through, favoured by an extraordinary ebb, which happened at that time to be produced by a strong wind, which happened just then to blow! Had this been the case, there could not have been waters standing on the right hand and on the left; much less could those waters, contrary to every law of fluids, have stood as a wall on either side while the Israelites passed through, and then happen to become obedient to the laws of gravitation when the Egyptians entered in! An infidel may deny the revelation in toto, and from such we expect nothing better; but to hear those who profess to believe this to be a Divine revelation endeavouring to prove that the passage of the Red Sea had nothing miraculous in it, is really intolerable. Such a mode of interpretation requires a miracle to make itself credible. Poor infidelity! how miserable and despicable are thy shifts!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-31 - The dividing the Red sea was the terror of the Canaanites, Jos 2:9; the praise and triumph of the Israelites, Ps 114:3; 106:9; 136:13. It was type of baptism, 1Co 10:1, 2. Israel's passage through it was typica of the conversion of souls, Isa 11:15; and the Egyptians being drowne in it was typical of the final ruin of all unrepenting sinners. God showed his almighty power, by opening a passage through the waters some miles over. God can bring his people through the greates difficulties, and force a way where he does not find it. It was a instance of his wonderful favour to his Israel. They went through the sea, they walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea. This was done in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust him in the greatest straits. What cannot he do who did this? What will not he d for those that fear and love him, who did this for these murmuring unbelieving Israelites? Then followed the just and righteous wrath of God upon his and his people's enemies. The ruin of sinners is brough on by their own rage and presumption. They might have let Israel alone and would not; now they would flee from the face of Israel, and cannot Men will not be convinced, till it is too late, that those who meddl with God's people, meddle to their own hurt. Moses was ordered to stretch out his hand over the sea; the waters returned, and overwhelme all the host of the Egyptians. Pharaoh and his servants, who ha hardened one another in sin, now fell together, not one escaped. The Israelites saw the Egyptians dead upon the sands. The sight very muc affected them. While men see God's works, and feel the benefit, the fear him and trust in him. How well were it for us, if we were alway in as good a frame as sometimes! Behold the end to which a Christia may look forward. His enemies rage, and are mighty; but while he hold fast by God, he shall pass the waves in safety guarded by that very power of his Saviour, which shall come down on every spiritual foe. The enemies of his soul whom he hath seen to-day, he shall see no more for ever __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויבאו 935 בני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 בתוך 8432 הים 3220 ביבשׁה 3004 והמים 4325 להם חומה 2346 מימינם 3225 ומשׂמאלם׃ 8040
