Exodus 14:20

ESV coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

NIV coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

NASB So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Therefore the one did not approach the other all night.

CSB It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. There was cloud and darkness, it lit up the night, and neither group came near the other all night long.

NLT The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

KJV And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

NKJV So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.

What does Exodus 14:20 mean?

A pillar which had been leading Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) has now moved behind them (Exodus 14:19), to block an oncoming Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9). The Israelites are now between the sea (Exodus 14:2) and this pillar, with their former oppressors (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41) nearby.

The Hebrew of this verse can be interpreted in diverse ways. There is a reference to light and darkness, and of two sides being separated during the night. Most interpreters take this to mean that this column created darkness for the Egyptians, and blocked their path, while the other side created enough light for Israel to travel. Having this barrier is crucial to Israel's crossing of the sea. By the time Egypt can pursue, Israel has made it to the other side and the Egyptian army is drowned when the waters close (Exodus 14:21–28).

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