Exodus 14:12

ESV Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."

NIV Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

NASB Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘ Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!'

CSB Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."

NLT Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’'

KJV Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

NKJV Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

What does Exodus 14:12 mean?

God used miracles to free Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23; 12:29–32). When they were released (Exodus 12:40–41), the Lord brought them to a specific location (Exodus 14:1–2). He guided them with a flaming column of clouds (Exodus 13:21–22). Israel should be supremely confident that God is on their side. However, when their former oppressors send an army against Israel (Exodus 14:5–9), some react with fear and despair (Exodus 14:11, 13).

In this complaint, the people suggest that slavery is better than death. They also speak negatively of the wilderness, as if their situation in Egypt were better. They had become accustomed to Egypt. Despite being slaves, what was familiar was more comfortable than the unknown. Freedom would come with challenges. Most importantly, though, the people forget all the supernatural work the Lord has just done on their behalf.

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: