The Meaning of Exodus 15:14 Explained

Exodus 15:14

KJV: The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

YLT: Peoples have heard, they are troubled; Pain hath seized inhabitants of Philistia.

Darby: The peoples heard it, they were afraid: A thrill seized the inhabitants of Philistia.

ASV: The peoples have heard, they tremble: Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The people  shall hear,  [and] be afraid:  sorrow  shall take hold  on the inhabitants  of Palestina. 

What does Exodus 15:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 15:1-18 - Moses' Song Of Praise To Jehovah
This sublime ode falls into three divisions. We learn, first, what God is: strength in the day of battle; song in victory; salvation always. He is the God of our fathers, and our own; the mighty champion of His people. Notice that the Spirit of Inspiration gives but a line or two to Israel's murmurings, but records this happy song with elaborate care. Praise is comely!
We discover, second, what God is to His foes. They are covered by the engulfing waves of destruction. As well might thorns fight fire as a man succeed against God.
We are taught, third, what God does for His friends. He leads forth the people whom He has redeemed. He guides them in His strength to their home. He who brought them out brings them in, and plants them in the place He has prepared. Claim that He should do this for you. He who brought you out from Egypt can bring you into Canaan. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 15

1  The song of Moses, Miriam, and Israel on their deliverance
22  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

What do the individual words in Exodus 15:14 mean?

Will hear the people [and] be afraid Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia
שָֽׁמְע֥וּ עַמִּ֖ים יִרְגָּז֑וּן חִ֣יל אָחַ֔ז יֹשְׁבֵ֖י פְּלָֽשֶׁת

שָֽׁמְע֥וּ  Will  hear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
עַמִּ֖ים  the  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
יִרְגָּז֑וּן  [and]  be  afraid 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: רָגַז  
Sense: tremble, quake, rage, quiver, be agitated, be excited, be perturbed.
חִ֣יל  Sorrow 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חִיל 
Sense: pain, agony, sorrow, a writhing, anguish.
אָחַ֔ז  will  take  hold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָחוּז 
Sense: grasp, take hold, seize, take possession.
יֹשְׁבֵ֖י  of  the  inhabitants 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
פְּלָֽשֶׁת  of  Philistia 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: פְּלֶשֶׁת  
Sense: the general territory on the west coast of Canaan or the entire country of Palestine.