The prose account of the crossing of the sea in Exodus 14 does not identify the sea in question. In 15:4*, however, we are told that Pharaoh’s officers were sunk in the Yam Sûp. Exodus 15:1–18* is a hymn, which is generally believed to contain some of the oldest poetry in the Bible, and to be older than the J and E sources. (The argument is based on the use of archaic expressions, and similarity to Ugaritic poetry.) A summary form of the hymn is attributed to Moses’ sister Miriam in 15:21*.
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