What Sank Like Lead?
The phrase “sank like lead” comes from the Song of Moses in Exodus 15, a hymn of praise sung after Israel crossed the Red Sea and witnessed the destruction of the Egyptian army. In this poetic celebration, the Israelites describe what happened to Pharaoh’s elite warriors when God released the waters upon them.
The Context of the Phrase
After the Israelites safely crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, the Egyptians pursued them into the parted waters. At God’s command, the sea returned to its normal flow, collapsing over the chariots, horsemen, and soldiers of Egypt. None of them survived.
When Moses and the people sang to the Lord, they expressed this victory through vivid imagery. One of these images is:
“They sank like lead in the mighty waters.”
(Exodus 15:10)
What Specifically Sank Like Lead?
The phrase refers to the Egyptian army, especially the charioteers and warriors who drowned when the Red Sea closed over them. The poetic language emphasizes how swiftly and completely they disappeared beneath the waters.
Here’s who is meant:
1. The Egyptian Chariots
Pharaoh sent his finest chariots—an elite military force. When the waters returned, these heavy chariots were overwhelmed and plunged to the bottom, “sinking like lead.”
2. The Egyptian Horsemen and Soldiers
The soldiers trying to chase Israel were also overtaken by the sea. The phrase highlights how powerless they were against God’s intervention.
3. Pharaoh’s Mighty Forces
This was not a minor group but the strongest military unit Egypt had, which makes their swift downfall even more dramatic.
Why “Lead”?
Lead is:
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Heavy, causing it to drop quickly in water
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Dense, symbolizing speed and finality in sinking
By comparing the Egyptians to lead, the song emphasizes:
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The certainty of their destruction
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The speed at which judgment came
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The totality of God’s victory over them
The Literary Purpose
The expression “sank like lead” serves to:
1. Celebrate God’s Power
It shows that no earthly force, not even Egypt’s greatest army, could stand against God.
2. Highlight Israel’s Deliverance
Israel escaped unharmed, while their enemies perished instantly.
3. Create Vivid Imagery
The phrase helps the listener picture the moment clearly—soldiers and chariots plunging downward with no hope of rising again.
Theological Significance
The sinking of the Egyptians symbolizes:
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Judgment against oppression
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Divine justice
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The fulfillment of God’s promise to fight for Israel
The imagery reassures future generations that God can overthrow any enemy, no matter how strong.
Conclusion
When the Bible says something “sank like lead,” it is referring to the Egyptian army—chariots, horsemen, and soldiers—who drowned in the Red Sea during Israel’s escape. This powerful metaphor highlights the complete and irreversible defeat of Pharaoh’s forces and the mighty deliverance God provided to His people.