Exodus 14:3

3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’

Exodus 14:3 in Other Translations

3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'

3 Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’

3 "Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are lost; they're confused. The wilderness has closed in on them.'

3 Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in.

Exodus 14:3 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 14:3

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel
The Septuagint version adds, "to his people", his ministers and courtiers, when he hears where they are: they are entangled in the land;
have lost their way, and got into places they cannot easily get out of, and are perplexed in their minds, and do not know what way to take or course to steer: the wilderness hath shut them in;
or, "shut up the way to them" ^F14; the wilderness between the mountains the above mentioned traveller speaks of ^F15 the mountains of Gewoubee; these would stop their flight or progress to the southward, as those of the Attackah would do the same towards the land of the Philistines; the Red sea likewise lay before them to the east, while Pharaoh (could) close up the valley behind them, with his chariots and his horsemen; and which, no doubt, appeared very advantageous and encouraging to him, as it must be very distressing to the Israelites.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Mhyle rgo) "clausit viam illis", Pagninus, "praeclusit sese illis", Vatablus.
F15 Dr. Shaw's Travels, p. 309. Ed. 2.

Exodus 14:3 In-Context

1 Then the LORD said to Moses,

2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.

3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’

4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!”