Exodus 14:11

ESV They said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?

NIV They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

NASB Then they said to Moses, 'Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?

CSB They said to Moses: "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

NLT and they said to Moses, 'Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?

KJV And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

NKJV Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?

What does Exodus 14:11 mean?

This is only the first of many times when the freed Israelites (Exodus 12:40–41) make bitter or sarcastic complaints against Moses (Exodus 16:3; 17:2–3; Numbers 14:2; 20:3–5). After God led Israel to camp by the seashore (Exodus 14:1–2), the Egyptian army has arrived (Exodus 14:5–9). Tactically, the nation is trapped. Some are afraid they will be killed, so they lash out and claim that slavery is better than death (Exodus 14:12).

Fear is a natural response to danger. However, God has recently performed stunning miracles to free Israel from slavery (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23; 12:29–32). He led them to this location using a column of flaming clouds (Exodus 13:21–22). Yet when the Egyptian soldiers approach, some of the Hebrews seem to forget everything which has just happened.

What these complainers don't know is that God is setting up one of the most famous miracles in Scripture (Exodus 14:21–28). Soon, He will create a path through the sea for Israel's escape. Then, the Lord will drown the Egyptian army in that same water. This will end any possibility of Egypt recapturing their former slaves.

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