Exodus 15:2

Footnotes

1. 7 Heb “Yah.” Moses’ poem here uses a short form of the name Yahweh, traditionally rendered in English by “the LORD.”
2. 8 The word וְזִמְרָת (vézimrat) is problematic. It probably had a suffix yod (י) that was accidentally dropped because of the yod (י) on the divine name following. Most scholars posit another meaning for the word. A meaning of “power” fits the line fairly well, forming a hendiadys with strength—“strength and power” becoming “strong power.” Similar lines are in Isa 12:2 and Ps 118:14. Others suggest “protection” or “glory.” However, there is nothing substantially wrong with “my song” in the line—only that it would be a nicer match if it had something to do with strength.
3. 9 The word נָוָה (navah) occurs only here. It may mean “beautify, adorn” with praises (see 627 ). See also M. Dahood, “Exodus 15:2: ‘anwehu and Ugaritic snwt,” 59 (1979): 260–61; and M. Klein, “The Targumic Tosefta to Exodus 15:2,” 26 (1975): 61–67; and S. B. Parker, “Exodus 15:2 Again,” 21 (1971): 373–79.