Re-examining the rationale and meaning of differences between the narrative and the poem of the Red Sea event

Abstract

The narrative of Exodus 13:17-14:31 and the poem of Exodus 15:1-18, commonly referred to as the Red Sea event or the Israelites' victory at Sea, describe the Israelites' rescue out of Egypt in different ways. The narrative chronicles the Israelites' journey out of Egypt, their passage through the Sea, YHWH's defeat of the Egyptians in the Sea, the Israelites' belief in Moses as the servant of YHWH, and their faith in YHWH. In contrast, the poem centers on the victory at Sea, the defeat of new enemies, and a future dwelling place with YHWH. Despite these differences, there does not seem to be a concentrated effort in scholarship to uncover why there are two different accounts of one event. This thesis aims to do precisely that by analyzing and investigating the narrative and the poem in Exodus 13:17-14:31 and Exodus 15:1-18, respectively. To reach this aim, Exodus 13:17-14:31 and 15:1-18 are subjected to a comprehensive contextual and intertextual analysis, a comparison of differences in twice-told ancient Near Eastern battles, and a discussion of the differences between the two passages.