Why the Splitting of the Red Sea Echoed Through History More Than the Ten Plagues

The Splitting of the Red Sea is remembered by the nations of the world far more vividly than the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Why did this miracle, more than all the others, leave such a lasting impression?

How the Nations Remembered the Event

When the Ark of God was brought into battle against the Philistines, they cried out in fear: “Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck Egypt with every plague in the wilderness!” (Shmuel I, 4:8).

Notably, they do not mention the plagues in Egypt itself, but rather the plagues in the wilderness. Which plagues were these? The Passover Haggadah explains in detail how severely the Egyptians were struck at the Sea.

More Blows at the Sea Than in Egypt

Although opinions in the Haggadah differ regarding the exact number, all agree that the Egyptians were struck far more severely at the Sea than they were in Egypt.

This idea is hinted at in the verses themselves. In Egypt, the plagues are described as coming from the “finger of God,” whereas at the Sea they are described as coming from a “mighty hand.” A hand has five fingers — implying fifty blows, at the very least.

Clearly, the plagues at the Sea were more powerful than those that struck Egypt itself. Why was this so?

Pharaoh’s Denial of Reality

Pharaoh’s heart was heavy. His advisors warned him, “Do you not yet realize that Egypt is lost?” Yet Pharaoh truly did not grasp the situation. He suppressed reality and convinced himself that Egypt was still strong.

A blow here, a blow there — such things, he believed, could not topple a civilization thousands of years old, nor undermine the seemingly eternal Pharaonic rule.

Eventually, Pharaoh did crack. His admission, “The Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked” reveals the beginning of that fracture. He agreed to let the Israelites go, realizing he had no choice and that Egypt’s condition was far worse than he had admitted.

Humiliation at Home vs. Humiliation in Public

Pharaoh can be compared to a person who suffers abuse in private and gradually becomes accustomed to it. Inside the home, he is humiliated, but outside, in public, no one knows. There, he walks with his head held high. The illusion continues. Life goes on.

If the humiliation suddenly takes place in the street, in front of everyone, the response changes completely. Silence turns into rage.

That is exactly what happened to Pharaoh.

The Exodus Moves Into the “Public Sphere”

The Israelites left the “house” and entered the “street” — the open expanse of the Egyptian empire, beyond the great fortified walls. Reports of the plagues were not broadcast to Egyptian troops stationed in the wilderness, and if any information reached them, it was likely filtered through propaganda.

Thus, when the soldiers learned that “the people had fled,” they were stunned. They had no idea that Pharaoh himself had driven the Israelites out, or that the Egyptians had even given them gifts.

At this point, Pharaoh lost control. Private humiliation he could tolerate, believing it would pass. But public disgrace, and the exposure of his empire’s weakness before the entire world, was unbearable.

His heart grew heavy once more, and he rushed headlong into a decision that led to his complete downfall.

A Defeat Witnessed by All Nations

This was Egypt’s true and final blow, because it happened before the eyes of all nations. That is why the Torah does not describe the reaction of the nations to the plagues in Egypt, but only to the splitting of the Red Sea: “The nations heard and trembled; dread seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified, the leaders of Moav were seized with trembling; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.”

Egypt’s humiliation was public, undeniable, and permanent. The mask was torn away, and the performance was over.

The Lasting Impact on Israel and Egypt

This second blow was far more painful than the first, because Egypt’s collapse was etched into the consciousness of all nations, and into the consciousness of Israel as well.

After seeing “Egypt dead on the shore of the sea,” the Israelites no longer felt weak. Their confidence was restored, and their sense of strength returned.

From that moment on, Egypt never regained its former greatness. It never again rose to become a global empire as it had been before the splitting of the Red Sea.