Exodus 14:15

ESV The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.

NIV Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

NASB Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.

CSB The Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to break camp.

NLT Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

KJV And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

NKJV And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

What does Exodus 14:15 mean?

It's possible Moses passed along the people's fears to the Lord in prayer (Exodus 14:11–12). The recently-freed slaves (Exodus 12:40–41) are camped by the sea (Exodus 14:1–2). There, they are confronted by the pharaoh of Egypt and his army (Exodus 14:5–7). God's question is purely for effect. He is not scolding Moses, nor asking for more information. His point is that the situation is already under control (Exodus 14:3–4).

Next, God gives Moses explicit instructions about what is about to happen. He is to pass along God's commands so that the people will advance. The Hebrew phrasing here suggests that Moses is to speak to the people "so that" they will begin to move. The Israelites cannot go forward without walking into the sea. On the other side, behind them, are Egyptian soldiers. But the Lord has a plan in mind (Exodus 14:16). He is about to perform one of the most famous miracles in human history (Exodus 14:21–28).

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