Exodus 14:4

4 I will harden Par`oh's heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Par`oh, and over all his host; and the Mitzrim shall know that I am the LORD." They did so.

Exodus 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart
Once more, as he had often done: that he shall follow after them:
to Pihahiroth, and even into the sea after them: and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host;
in his wisdom, faithfulness, power, and justice, by the destruction of them: that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord;
the only Jehovah, the Lord God omnipotent; even those that feel the weight of his hand while troubling their host, and bringing the waters upon them; especially those that shall remain in the land, and will not be involved in the catastrophe: and they did so:
the Israelites turned to the right to Pihahiroth, instead of going by Bishbesh and Tinah (Bubastis and Pelusium), and so along the sea coast towards Gaza and Ascalon, and encamped there between Migdol and the sea over against Baalzephon, as they were ordered and directed.

Exodus 14:4 In-Context

2 "Speak to the children of Yisra'el, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-Hachirot, between Migdol and the sea, before Ba`al-Tzefon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea.

3 Par`oh will say of the children of Yisra'el, 'They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.'

4 I will harden Par`oh's heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Par`oh, and over all his host; and the Mitzrim shall know that I am the LORD." They did so.

5 It was told the king of Mitzrayim that the people had fled; and the heart of Par`oh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Yisra'el go from serving us?"

6 He made ready his chariot, and took his army with him;