שמות, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״ט

The grand conclusion of the Red Sea crossing brings the poetic peaks of the Israelites' song back to the physical reality of the miracle. A sharp contrast emerges between the total destruction of the world's greatest military power and the miraculous rescue of a nation of slaves, who walk safely through the exact same waters. This narrative frame is built from three distinct statements, each ending with the mention of the sea, creating a rhythmic emphasis on the very location where the miracle took place [קאסוטו].

There are differing perspectives on the literary style of this historical summary. One view sees it as an integral part of the song itself, meant to be sung as a reminder of the double miracle that occurred [אבן עזרא]. However, the primary approach among commentators is that this section is not written as poetry or prophecy, but rather as regular narrative prose serving as a connecting link [רמב״ן, שד״ל, ביאור יש״ר, ברטנורא]. It points back to a specific moment in the past, explaining that the events took place exactly when the Egyptian forces entered the water [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה].

This timing connects the physical miracle to the surrounding celebrations in a few possible ways. It can link back to the beginning of the song, indicating that Moses and the Israelites began to sing when Pharaoh's horses entered the sea [רמב״ן, שד״ל, ספורנו]. Some add a striking detail: the Israelites sang while still walking on dry land within the sea, even as the Egyptians drowned right next to them [רבנו בחיי, ביאור יש״ר]. Alternatively, this moment links forward to the next event, meaning that when the Egyptian forces drowned, Miriam immediately took up her tambourine to lead the women in celebration [רשב״ם, בכור שור, חזקוני, הדר זקנים].

The crossing involved a chain of separate miracles. The Egyptians were deceived into entering the sea under the illusion that it was solid ground, only to have the waters crash back down upon them, all while a parallel reality allowed the Israelites to walk in absolute safety [מלבי״ם]. The Israelites did not merely wade through a shallow swamp; they crossed a deep, literal sea that transformed into dry land solely by God's command [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The destruction was absolute, claiming not only the horses and riders but Pharaoh himself, who drowned alongside his army [אבן עזרא]. The defeat extended beyond the physical realm. A subtle reference to a single horse rather than many points to the spiritual downfall of the guardian angel appointed over the Egyptian nation [שפתי כהן].

This historical account follows the declaration of God's eternal kingship, offering a deep lesson about divine judgment. Even in moments when strict justice strikes the world with overwhelming force, as seen in the drowning of the Egyptians, the Israelites are guaranteed a safe path and are not swept away by that same destructive judgment [העמק דבר]. On a conceptual level, the sea serves as a symbol for this stormy, raging world. While the wicked drown and perish in its turbulent depths, God's nation walks through the chaos as if stepping on solid ground [חתם סופר].