שמות, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ח

The climax of the pursuit at the Red Sea brings the sudden and absolute destruction of the world's most powerful military empire. The miraculous walls of water collapse with tremendous force, washing over the seabed in an unnatural, violent storm [ספורנו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The sheer impact of the crashing waves violently shakes the Egyptian riders from their chariots, hurling them into the depths of the sea [ספורנו, מלבי״ם].

The devastation swallows the entire military force, extending beyond the chariots and horsemen to include the infantry that Pharaoh brought along [רמב״ן]. In a tragic twist for the Egyptian army, the presence of these foot soldiers directly sealed their doom. While the horses might have theoretically been able to swim to safety, the infantry walking closely behind to push the heavy chariots blocked any chance of retreat, ensuring they all drowned together [העמק דבר]. This event highlights a profound divine contrast: the very same waters that stood as a protective wall for the Israelites suddenly transformed into a fatal trap for their pursuers [רש״ר הירש]. The surging sea consumed all who chased after the Israelites [קאסוטו], even reaching the weaker, hesitant horsemen who had straggled behind and lingered near the edges of the water before being overtaken by the returning waves [אור החיים].

The annihilation of the army was absolute. Not a single person who entered the sea escaped, a finality that included even the unarmed servants and armor-bearers [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, העמק דבר]. Yet, a fascinating debate exists regarding the personal fate of Pharaoh himself. Some suggest that he was the sole survivor of the catastrophe, intentionally kept alive by God so he would be forced to witness the complete ruin of his nation [הדר זקנים, דעת זקנים]. Others strongly reject this idea, maintaining that Pharaoh died in the water alongside his troops, and the account simply means that absolutely no one survived [אבן עזרא].

While every soldier who charged into the seabed perished, a few fearful Egyptians had remained safely on the shoreline. These onlookers witnessed God's awesome power firsthand and returned to their country humbled and transformed. The psychological shock of this overwhelming defeat resonated so deeply within the empire that Egypt refrained from attacking the Israelites for over five hundred years [ביאור יש״ר].