Exodus 13:17-22

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did 1not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, "Lest the people 2change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."
18 But God 3led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph[a] had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 4"God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here."
20 And 5they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.
21 And 6the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Cross References 6

  • 1. [Psalms 107:7]
  • 2. Exodus 14:11, 12; [Nehemiah 9:17]; See Numbers 14:1-4
  • 3. Exodus 14:2; [Deuteronomy 32:10]; See Numbers 33:6-49
  • 4. Genesis 50:25; Joshua 24:32; Hebrews 11:22; [Acts 7:16]
  • 5. Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:6
  • 6. Exodus 14:19, 24; Exodus 40:38; Numbers 10:34; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Nehemiah 9:12, 19; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 99:7; Psalms 105:39; 1 Corinthians 10:1; [Isaiah 4:5]; See Numbers 9:15-23

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Samaritan, Septuagint; Hebrew he
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.