Exodus 14:19

ESV Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,

NIV Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,

NASB Then the angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

CSB Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them.

NLT Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.

KJV And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

NKJV And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.

What does Exodus 14:19 mean?

Parting of the water is the most famous aspect of this story. However, a key component of Israel's successful crossing is depicted here. Without this step, Israel (Exodus 14:1–2) would have quickly been caught by the pursuing Egyptians (Exodus 14:5–9).

This is the first reference to an angel since Moses met with the Lord at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). There, the reference was to the "angel of the Lord," using the word YHWH or Yahweh. Here, the "angel of God" uses the term Elōhim, a more general reference. This has created some debate about the identity of this "angel." The angel is said to have gone before the Israelites, as was said earlier of God going before them in a pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21–22). This "angel," then, might be a supernatural manifestation of God. Or perhaps the pillar is the "angel" which is moving.

Earlier verses noted clouds leading Israel during the day and fire leading them at night (Exodus 13:21–22). Here, it's clarified that there is a single column. God's leading was done by a combination of dust and fire, "fire" possibly meaning lightning. As the Egyptians approach, this will move to block their chariots (Exodus 14:5–9) from reaching the Israelites. Some interpret the following verse (Exodus 14:20) to mean that this created darkness for the Egyptians and light for the people of Israel.

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