What Does Exodus 15:13 Mean in the King James?
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same faithful love that reclaims you also leads you toward a place to belong.
THE MEANING
God’s faithful love does not stop when you are brought out; it continues to guide you. You are led by God’s strength toward a dwelling marked by God’s set-apart presence.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Redemption does not leave you on your own after bringing you out; the verse shows you are guided toward belonging.
THE ROOT
גָּאַלְתָּ
ga’altā
GROWS FROM
גאל
To reclaim, especially as a near relative; to redeem.
The redeemed are not merely spared; they are reclaimed. That makes their guidance toward a dwelling feel like a movement into belonging, not simply an escape.
ALSO GROWS
go’el: Redeemer; one who reclaims as a near relative.
גֹּאֵל
This branch brings relationship into the idea of redemption: the people are reclaimed, then led onward.
ge’ullah: Redemption; reclaiming.
גְּאֻלָּה
The noun names the act that begins the movement described here: the reclaimed people are then guided toward a dwelling.
חַסְדְּךָ
ḥasdekha
GROWS FROM
חסד
Faithful love; steadfast kindness.
“mercy” in this verse is ḥasdekha. The verse presents faithful love as active: it leads the people forth. Its force is not only tenderness toward them, but love that carries them toward a home.
ALSO GROWS
ḥāsîd: Faithful or devoted one.
חָסִיד
This related form describes a person marked by the faithful devotion that chesed expresses.
ḥasadim: Acts of faithful love or kindness.
חֲסָדִים
This form makes the love concrete as deeds, fitting a verse where love acts by leading and guiding.
נֵהַלְתָּ
nehaltā
GROWS FROM
נהל
To lead, guide, or conduct.
“guided” in this verse is nehaltā. The Hebrew verb for guidance here shares its root with the shepherding movement in Psalm 23:2. Guidance carries a person toward provision and rest; here its destination is God’s holy dwelling.
ALSO GROWS
yenahaleni: He guides me.
יְנַהֲלֵנִי
In Psalm 23:2, this same root guides the speaker beside still waters, linking guidance with a place of rest.
yenahalem: He guides them.
יְנַהֲלֵם
Isaiah 49:10 uses this same root for guiding people by springs of water, joining guidance with provision.
THE PATTERN
Deliverance leads people toward a place where they can dwell in God’s presence.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.THE THREAD
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.The Hebrew word translated “guided” here, נֵהַלְתָּ (nehaltā, “you guided”), shares the root נהל with יְנַהֲלֵנִי (yenahaleni, “he guides me”) in Psalm 23:2. In both verses, guidance brings people toward a place of rest and provision.
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