Exodus 14:10-20

10 When Par`oh drew near, the children of Yisra'el lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Mitzrim were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Yisra'el cried out to the LORD.

11 They said to Moshe, "Because there were no graves in Mitzrayim, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us forth out of Mitzrayim?

12 Isn't this the word that we spoke to you in Mitzrayim, saying, 'Leave us alone, that we may serve the Mitzrim?' For it were better for us to serve the Mitzrim, than that we should die in the wilderness."

13 Moshe said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today: for the Mitzrim whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again.

14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be still."

15 The LORD said to Moshe, "Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Yisra'el, that they go forward.

16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Yisra'el shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.

17 I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Mitzrim, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Par`oh, and over all his host, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.

18 The Mitzrim shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten myself honor over Par`oh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen."

19 The angel of God, who went before the camp of Yisra'el, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.

20 It came between the camp of Mitzrayim and the camp of Yisra'el; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one didn't come near the other all the night.

Exodus 14:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 14

This chapter begins with directions of God to Moses, to be given to the children of Israel about the course they were to steer in their journey, with the reason thereof, Ex 14:1-4, which they observing, a report was brought to Pharaoh that they were fled, and this determined him and his servants to get ready and pursue after them, as they did with a great army, Ex 14:5-9, which when the Israelites saw, it put them in great fear, and set them to murmuring and complaining against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt, Ex 14:10,11,12, who desired them to be still and quiet, and they should see the salvation of the Lord, Ex 14:13,14, and he is bid to order the people to go on in their journey, and to take his rod and stretch it over the sea and divide it, that Israel might pass through it on dry ground, and the Egyptians follow them, whereby God would be honoured and glorified, Ex 14:15-18, upon which the Angel of the Lord in a pillar of cloud removed from before there, and went behind them for their protection, Ex 14:19,20, and Moses stretching out his hand over the sea, and a strong east wind blowing upon it, the waters divided and the Israelites went into it, and the Egyptians followed them, but their host being troubled by the Lord, and their chariot wheels taken off, they found themselves in great danger, and were thrown into a panic, Ex 14:20-25 and upon Moses's stretching out his hand again over the sea, the waters returned, and Pharaoh and his host were drowned, but the Israelites passed through safely, as on dry land, Ex 14:26-29, which great work of the Lord being observed by them, influenced their fear of him, their faith in him and his servant Moses, Ex 14:30,31.