jan 16, 1275 BC - Exodus Began

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Being one of the most well-known stories of the Exodus narrative, the parting of the Red Sea is a compilation of three composite sources/accounts, which are called "P", "J" and the "Song of the Sea" by Miriam found in Exodus 15.

The P account is likely one which most modern readers are most familiar with; wherein the sea split when Moses lifted his staff, allowing the Israelites to pass safely, and as Moses lifted his staff again, the sea came back, engulfing the pursuing Egyptian army.

In what probably a J account, Yahweh caused the Egyptian to panic, sabotaging their chariot, causing the army to flee.

The last account comes from the "Song of the Sea" in Exodus 15 where Yahweh cast Egyptian chariots, or perhaps ships, into the sea and were destroyed by a storm, sinking the whole army.

Additionally, the location of the Sea has been in question. The Red Sea could be an area of marsh where reeds grow plentifully , and this is called the "sea of reeds" as translated from the original Hebrew, 'Yam Suph'. It is also possible that the Red Sea refers to the Gulf of Suez, as the narrative suggest, of a large body of water near Egypt.

The story of how the Israelites flee from Egypt is recounted in Psalm 136 (NRSV)

Psalm 136
God’s Work in Creation and in History
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 who spread out the earth on the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to his servant Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

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Coogan, Michael David, and Cynthia R. Chapman. A brief introduction to the Old Testament: the Hebrew Bible in its context. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016, p88.

LaPorta, Elayne. THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA. 2011. ElayneLaPorta, ElayneLaPorta, Henderson, NV. In ElayneLaPorta. Accessed January 30, 2018. http://elaynelaporta.com/gallery/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=15.

The Chronological Study Bible. Thomas Nelson Inc, 2009, p81, 215.

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