Exodus 13:17-22

God Leads the People

17 Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "1The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."
18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red * Sea; and the sons of Israel went up 2in martial array from the land of Egypt.
19 Moses took 3the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you."
20 Then they set out from 4Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
21 5The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
22 He 6did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Exodus 13:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 13

This chapter begins with an order to sanctify or set apart the firstborn of man and beast to the Lord, Ex 13:1,2 and the people of Israel are charged to keep the feast of unleavened bread in its season, from year to year, when they came into the land of Canaan, the reason of which they were to acquaint their children with, Ex 13:3-10 and they are also directed, when come into the land of Canaan, to set apart every firstling of a beast unto the Lord, and particularly the firstling of an ass was to be redeemed with a lamb, or its neck to be broke, and all the firstborn of men were to be redeemed also, Ex 13:11-13, and when their children inquired the reason of it, they were to be told it was on account of the Lord's slaying the firstborn of men and beast among the Egyptians, when Pharaoh would not let Israel go, and of saving the firstborn of his people, Ex 13:14-16, and it is observed, that when the children of Israel went out of Egypt, they were not led by the nearest way, the way of the land of the Philistines, but a round about way, the way of the wilderness of the Red sea, when they took the bones of Joseph with them, as he had adjured them to do, Ex 13:17-19, and the chapter is concluded with an account of their journeying from Succoth to Etham, the Lord going before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night, Ex 13:20-22.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Exodus 14:11, 12; Numbers 14:1-4; Deuteronomy 17:16
  • 2. Joshua 1:14; Joshua 4:12, 13
  • 3. Genesis 50:24, 25; Joshua 24:32; Acts 7:15, 16
  • 4. Exodus 12:37; Numbers 33:6
  • 5. Exodus 14:19, 24; Exodus 33:9, 10; Numbers 9:15; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Nehemiah 9:12; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 99:7; Psalms 105:39; Isaiah 4:5; 1 Corinthians 10:1
  • 6. Nehemiah 9:19

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Lit "Sea of Reeds"
  • [b]. Lit "visit"
  • [c]. Lit "go"
  • [d]. Or "The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart"
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