📖 Biblical Definition
The Crossing of the Red Sea is the climactic deliverance of Israel from Egypt, when YHWH parted the sea before His people, brought them through on dry ground, and drowned Pharaoh’s pursuing army (Exodus 14). It is the defining act of YHWH’s salvation in Old Testament memory — sung in Moses’ song the morning after: "I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea" (Exodus 15:1) — and referenced repeatedly through Scripture as the great paradigm of redemption (Psalm 78:13; 106:9; 136:13-15; Isaiah 51:10). Paul typologically connects it to Christian baptism: "all our fathers... were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The exodus deliverance through parted sea; defining OT salvation event.
expand to see more
The climactic deliverance of Israel from Egypt at the Red Sea (Hebrew yam suph, "Sea of Reeds"). Pharaoh's army pursued; YHWH parted the waters with a strong east wind; Israel crossed on dry ground; the waters returned and drowned the Egyptians (Exod 14). Sung in the Song of Moses (Exod 15) as the foundational praise. Referenced repeatedly throughout Scripture as memorial of YHWH's saving power. Paul connects it typologically to Christian baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2).
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 14:21-22 — "And 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. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground."
Exodus 15:1-2 — "I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation."
1 Corinthians 10:1-2 — "All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Demythologized by liberal scholarship as natural-events embellished; conservative reading takes the miracle at face value.
expand to see more
Liberal scholarship variously "explains" the Red Sea crossing as receding tide, volcanic event, or symbolic metaphor. Scripture treats it as YHWH's literal saving act — the foundational event of OT salvation, referenced as historical fact for the next 1,500 years.
Recover the miracle: YHWH parted the sea. The Song of Moses celebrates a real event; Paul treats it as historical type of baptism. The miracle stands.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew yam suph.
expand to see more
['Hebrew', 'H3220', 'yam', 'sea']
['Hebrew', 'H5488', 'suph', 'reeds']
Usage
"Foundational OT salvation event."
"Song of Moses celebrates it."
"Type of Christian baptism."