Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ New Living Translation “The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them. I will plunder them and consume them. I will flash my sword; my powerful hand will destroy them.’ English Standard Version The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ Berean Standard Bible The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ Berean Literal Bible The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul shall be filled with them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ King James Bible The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. New King James Version The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.’ New American Standard Bible “The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; I shall be satisfied against them; I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ NASB 1995 “The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ NASB 1977 “The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ Legacy Standard Bible The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be fulfilled against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand will dispossess them.’ Amplified Bible “The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied against them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall dispossess them and drive them out.’ Berean Annotated Bible The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them. Christian Standard Bible The enemy said: “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My desire will be gratified at their expense. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.” Holman Christian Standard Bible The enemy said:” I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My desire will be gratified at their expense. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.” American Standard Version The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Contemporary English Version Your enemies boasted that they would pursue and capture us, divide up our possessions, treat us as they wished, then take out their swords and kill us right there. English Revised Version The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil: My lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. GOD'S WORD® Translation "The enemy said, 'I'll pursue them! I'll catch up with them! I'll divide the loot! I'll take all I want! I'll use my sword! I'll take all they have!' Good News Translation The enemy said, 'I will pursue them and catch them; I will divide their wealth and take all I want; I will draw my sword and take all they have.' International Standard Version "The enemy said, 'I'll pursue them, I'll overtake them, I'll divide the spoil. I'll satisfy my anger on them, I'll draw my sword, and my hand will bring them to ruin.' NET Bible The enemy said, 'I will chase, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.' New Heart English Bible The enemy said, 'I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the spoil. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.' Webster's Bible Translation The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ World English Bible The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe enemy said, I pursue, I overtake; I apportion spoil; My soul is filled with them; I draw out my sword; My hand destroys them— Berean Literal Bible The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul shall be filled with them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ Young's Literal Translation The enemy said, I pursue, I overtake; I apportion spoil; Filled is my soul with them; I draw out my sword; My hand destroyeth them: -- Smith's Literal Translation The enemy said, I will pursue, I will enclose, I will divide the spoil: my soul shall be filled with them: I will draw out my sword, my hand shall dispossess them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe enemy said: I will pursue and overtake, I will divide the spoils, my soul shall have its fill: I will draw my sword, my hand shall slay them. Catholic Public Domain Version The enemy said: ‘I will pursue and overtake them. I will divide the spoils. My soul will be filled. I will unsheathe my sword. My hand will put them to death.’ New American Bible The enemy boasted, “I will pursue and overtake them; I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them; I will draw my sword; my hand will despoil them!” New Revised Standard Version The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my soul will devour them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The enemy said, “I shall pursue and I shall overtake; I shall divide the loot; my soul will devour them; I shall draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The enemy said: 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.' Brenton Septuagint Translation The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy my soul, I will destroy with my sword, my hand shall have dominion. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Moses' Song of Deliverance…8At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. 9The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ 10But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.… Cross References The enemy declared, 2 Kings 18:28-29 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! / This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you; he cannot deliver you from my hand. 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” Psalm 83:4 saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” ‘I will pursue, Exodus 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out defiantly. Psalm 18:37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. Exodus 14:23 And the Egyptians chased after them—all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen—and followed them into the sea. I will overtake. Exodus 14:9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon. 1 Samuel 30:8 and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” Deuteronomy 28:45 All these curses will come upon you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, since you did not obey the LORD your God and keep the commandments and statutes He gave you. I will divide the spoils; Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. Judges 5:30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’ Isaiah 33:23 Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder. I will gorge myself on them. Micah 3:3 You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” Psalm 27:2 When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. Jeremiah 50:7 All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ I will draw my sword; Deuteronomy 32:41-42 when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me. / I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.” Treasury of Scripture The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied on them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. I will pursue Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Judges 5:30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? 1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. destroy or repossess Exodus 14:5,9 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? … Jump to Previous Apportion Boasted Desire Destroy Destroyeth Dispossess Divide Division Draw Egypt Enemy Fill Goods Gorge Gratified Hand Lust Overtake Pursue Satisfied Soul Spoil Spoils Sword Uncovered WayJump to Next Apportion Boasted Desire Destroy Destroyeth Dispossess Divide Division Draw Egypt Enemy Fill Goods Gorge Gratified Hand Lust Overtake Pursue Satisfied Soul Spoil Spoils Sword Uncovered WayExodus 15 1. The song of Moses, Miriam, and Israel on their deliverance22. The people want water in the desert 23. The waters at Marah are bitter, 24. they murmur, 25. Moses prays, and sweetens the waters by God's direction 27. They encamp at Elim, where are twelve wells, and seventy palm trees The enemy declared This phrase sets the stage for the intentions of the Egyptians as they pursued the Israelites. It reflects the arrogance and confidence of Pharaoh's army, believing they could easily recapture the fleeing slaves. This declaration is reminiscent of the prideful boasts of other enemies of God throughout Scripture, such as Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:44. ‘I will pursue’ I will overtake I will divide the spoils I will gorge myself on them I will draw my sword my hand will destroy them Persons / Places / Events 1. The EnemyRepresents the Egyptians, specifically Pharaoh and his army, who pursued the Israelites as they fled from Egypt. 2. The Israelites God's chosen people, who were escaping from slavery in Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. 3. The Red Sea The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians. 4. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. 5. Pharaoh The ruler of Egypt, whose heart was hardened against letting the Israelites go, leading to the pursuit. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over EnemiesThe passage highlights God's control over even the most powerful adversaries. Believers can trust that no enemy is too great for God to handle. The Futility of Human Arrogance The Egyptians' confidence in their own strength and plans was ultimately futile. This serves as a reminder of the limitations of human power compared to God's might. Divine Deliverance Just as God delivered the Israelites, He continues to deliver His people from spiritual and physical threats today. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's deliverance in times of trouble. The Power of Faith The Israelites' journey required faith in God's promises and power. Christians are called to exercise faith, trusting in God's plans and timing. The Importance of Remembering God's Works Reflecting on past deliverances strengthens faith and trust in God. Believers should regularly recall and give thanks for God's interventions in their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 15:9?2. How does Exodus 15:9 illustrate the arrogance of the enemy's intentions? 3. What can we learn about God's power over human plans from Exodus 15:9? 4. How does Exodus 15:9 connect to God's deliverance in other Bible stories? 5. How can believers trust God when facing threats similar to Exodus 15:9? 6. What practical steps can we take to resist spiritual enemies' "destroy" plans? 7. How does Exodus 15:9 reflect the nature of human pride and arrogance? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Exodus 15:9? 9. How does Exodus 15:9 illustrate the theme of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 15? 11. What is the Bible's stance on violence? 12. How did Jehoshaphat's army manage to march forth singing and then gather the spoils without engaging in a standard military offensive (2 Chronicles 20:21-25)? 13. How does the destruction caused by the locusts (Exodus 10:15) align with the later plague of hail in Exodus 9, which supposedly ruined crops earlier? 14. What does the Bible say about God versus Satan? What Does Exodus 15:9 Mean The enemy declared- Context: Pharaoh’s forces have just watched Israel slip through the parted Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–23). - Their boast reveals hardened rebellion even after ten plagues and the pillar of fire (Exodus 14:17). - Scripture often shows God’s foes talking big before sudden defeat (Psalm 83:2–12; Isaiah 10:13). - The line reminds us that evil may look confident, but the Lord “laughs” at such presumption (Psalm 2:4). I will pursue - Pharaoh’s cavalry charges after God’s people (Exodus 14:8–9). - Pursuit language pictures relentless hostility: • Saul after David (1 Samuel 26:20) • The dragon after the woman (Revelation 12:13) - Believers still face a spiritual adversary who “prowls around” (1 Peter 5:8). - Yet the cloud stood between Israel and the chariots (Exodus 14:19–20); God still blocks the enemy’s advance. I will overtake - Human strength thinks it can outrun divine protection (Exodus 14:10). - Israel looked hemmed in, but the Lord positions His people so victory magnifies Him (Exodus 14:3–4). - Enemies may outrun us, yet cannot outrun God (Psalm 18:17–19). I will divide the spoil - Spoils of war belong to the victor (Judges 5:30). Pharaoh presumes success before the first sword is swung. - God later flips the scene: Israel plunders Egypt without lifting a weapon (Exodus 12:35–36). - Jesus, the greater Deliverer, “divides the spoil with the strong” after His triumph (Isaiah 53:12). I will satisfy my lust -: “I will satisfy my lust”; the greed is more than goods—he craves Israel’s ruin. - Similar devouring language: “They eat up my people as they eat bread” (Psalm 14:4). - Evil’s appetite is never full (Habakkuk 2:5); only God truly satisfies (Psalm 16:11). I will draw my sword - Pharaoh arms himself, echoing later tyrants like Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45) and Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:23). - God wields the ultimate sword: the angel of the Lord blocking Balaam (Numbers 22:31) or standing over Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 21:16). - Romans 13:4 notes earthly swords exist, but they remain under God’s sovereignty. my hand will destroy them - Pharaoh claims the power of his “hand,” yet Exodus repeatedly highlights the “mighty hand” of the LORD (Exodus 3:19–20; 13:9). - The boast dies in the sea; “not so much as one of them remained” (Exodus 14:28). - Human hands that rebel are fragile (Isaiah 31:3); God’s hand never fails (John 10:28–29). summary Exodus 15:9 records the swaggering speech of Pharaoh’s army: pursuit, seizure, gluttony, violence, annihilation. Each phrase uncovers the arrogance and insatiable cruelty of sin arrayed against God’s people. Yet every boast is answered in the very next verses as the sea returns, proving the LORD’s supremacy. The passage calls us to trust the same mighty hand that shattered Pharaoh’s plans and still shields His redeemed today. (9) The enemy said.--Pharaoh's soldiers were as anxious as their master to come to blows. (See above, Exodus 15:7.) They hoped to acquire the rich spoil which the Israelites had carried off from Egypt in the shape of gold and silver ornaments and goodly apparel (Exodus 12:35-36), as well as their flocks and herds (Exodus 12:38).My lust.--Heb., my soul. The particular passion to be gratified was cupidity, or desire of riches. Destroy them.--So the Vulg., Onkelos, Rosenmller, Knobel, Kalisch, and others. The meaning "re-possess," given in the margin, rests upon the rendering of the LXX., which is ?????????, but is otherwise unsupported. Verse 9. - The enemy said. This verse is important as giving the animus of the pursuit, showing what was in the thoughts of the soldiers who flocked to Pharaoh's standard at his call - a point which had not been previously touched. It is remarkable as a departure from the general stately order of Hebrew poesy, and for what has been called its "abrupt, gasping" style. The broken speech imitates the utterance of one at once eager and out of breath. I will divide the spoil. The Israelites, it must be remembered, had gone out of Egypt laden with ornaments of silver and of gold, and accompanied by flocks and herds of great value. Pharaoh's soldiers regarded this wealth as legitimate plunder, and intended to appropriate it. My lust. Literally, "my soul." Rage and hate were the passions to be satiated, rather than lust. My hand shall destroy them. So the Vulgate, Onkelos, Rosenmuller, Knobel, Kalisch, and others. The LXX. have κυριεύσει, "acquire the lordship over them" (whence our marginal rendering) But the drawn sword points to death rather than recapture.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The enemyאוֹיֵ֛ב (’ō·w·yêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary declared, אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘I will pursue, אֶרְדֹּ֥ף (’er·dōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute I will overtake. אַשִּׂ֖יג (’aś·śîḡ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5381: To reach, overtake I will divide אֲחַלֵּ֣ק (’ă·ḥal·lêq) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate the spoils; שָׁלָ֑ל (šā·lāl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty I will gorge myself on them. תִּמְלָאֵ֣מוֹ (tim·lā·’ê·mōw) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of I will draw אָרִ֣יק (’ā·rîq) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 7324: Arm, cast out, draw out, make empty, pour forth out my sword; חַרְבִּ֔י (ḥar·bî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword my hand יָדִֽי׃ (yā·ḏî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3027: A hand will destroy them.’ תּוֹרִישֵׁ֖מוֹ (tō·w·rî·šê·mōw) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin Links Exodus 15:9 NIVExodus 15:9 NLT Exodus 15:9 ESV Exodus 15:9 NASB Exodus 15:9 KJV Exodus 15:9 BibleApps.com Exodus 15:9 Biblia Paralela Exodus 15:9 Chinese Bible Exodus 15:9 French Bible Exodus 15:9 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 15:9 The enemy said 'I will pursue (Exo. 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