The Hebrew phrase yam sup means “sea of reeds.” This may refer to the region north of the Gulf of Suez, which, in antiquity, was characterized by large, shallow lakes and extensive swamps. The water level was higher four thousand years ago, and the north end of the Gulf of Suez may have merged with the Bitter Lakes region, all of it being called yam sup. It would not have been navigable without the miracle that dries it up and allows the Israelites to walk across on dry ground. Furthermore, this body of water is deep enough that the Egyptians are engulfed when the waters return. The strong east wind (14:21) causes walls of water to pile up on both sides of its path as well as to the west. When Moses again stretches out his hand over the sea, it drowns the Egyptians who have turned around …