What Formed Walls on Each Side?
The phrase “walls on each side” is most famously associated with the biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. This miraculous event is central to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, representing divine intervention, deliverance, and faith in action. To understand what formed these walls, we must examine the context, the biblical narrative, and interpretations over time.
1. The Context of the Event
The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for centuries. Under the leadership of Moses, they sought to escape Pharaoh’s rule after a series of plagues devastated Egypt. When they reached the Red Sea, they found themselves trapped between the vast waters and the pursuing Egyptian army. The situation seemed impossible, yet it became the setting for one of the most dramatic demonstrations of divine power.
2. The Biblical Description
According to the account in Exodus 14:21-22:
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”
From this description, it is clear that God Himself caused the sea to part, creating a miraculous phenomenon where the waters formed vertical walls on both sides, allowing the Israelites to pass through safely on dry land.
3. Mechanism of the Walls
While the event is fundamentally a divine miracle, the narrative mentions a strong east wind as the instrument through which the waters were held back. Some modern researchers and scholars have speculated that natural forces like wind setdown effects or tidal phenomena could have contributed, but the key takeaway from the biblical perspective is that the walls of water were supernatural, sustained by God’s power.
The walls were not just a lowering of water but a miraculous suspension—a solid barrier of water on each side that prevented the Israelites from being overwhelmed and also shielded them from Pharaoh’s army.
4. Symbolism of the Walls
The walls of water carry deep symbolic meaning:
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Protection: The walls safeguarded the Israelites from harm as they crossed.
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Divine Presence: They represented God’s immediate involvement in guiding and protecting His people.
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Separation from Danger: Just as the waters separated the Israelites from the Egyptians, they also symbolized a spiritual separation from sin and oppression.
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Faith and Obedience: The Israelites had to walk between the walls of water with trust, exemplifying faith in God’s deliverance.
5. Legacy and Cultural Impact
The image of waters forming walls on each side has become an enduring symbol of miraculous rescue and hope. It is referenced in religious art, literature, hymns, and sermons, often emphasizing courage, faith, and the power of divine intervention.
In modern culture, the “walls of water” metaphor extends beyond the literal event, representing barriers created by providence that allow safe passage through life’s challenges.
Conclusion
The walls on each side were formed by the waters of the Red Sea, held back miraculously by God, allowing the Israelites to pass safely. More than just a physical phenomenon, these walls symbolized protection, divine guidance, and the transformative power of faith. Whether considered historically, spiritually, or metaphorically, the parted waters remain one of the most powerful illustrations of deliverance in human history.