Exodus 14:25

ESV clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians."

NIV He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt."

NASB He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians each said, 'Let me flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians.'

CSB He caused their chariot wheels to swerve and made them drive with difficulty. "Let’s get away from Israel," the Egyptians said, "because the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!"

NLT He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. 'Let’s get out of here — away from these Israelites!' the Egyptians shouted. 'The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!'

KJV And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

NKJV And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

What does Exodus 14:25 mean?

God miraculously parted the waters of the sea (Exodus 14:21–22) so Israel could escape the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:5–9). Foolishly the Egyptians followed behind (Exodus 14:23). Then, in some way, God caused them to panic. This verse gives a partial explanation: problems with their chariot wheels. Chariots are military vehicles meant for fast movement and sharp maneuvers. Chariot wheels are usually—but not always—thinner and narrower than wheels used for cargo wagons. These are fine for hard ground but not suited for deep mud or loose sand. The same comparison can be made with bicycle wheels: "city" bicycles have light, thin wheels while those meant for off-road travel are much heavier and thicker.

Either because of heavy traffic, the sea floor gradually becoming damp (Exodus 14:29), or some other means, the army begins to wallow. The Hebrew word for their problems is yāsar. This is from a root word that means some sort of diverting, swerving, or departing. Either the wheels are bogging down so the chariots cannot steer, or the wheels are breaking, or they are clogging, or some combination of all these.

Whatever change happens, it is rapid enough for the Egyptians to see it as a spiritual sign (Exodus 8:19; 10:7). The soldiers change their minds about the pursuit. Since the Egyptians' words are recorded, it seems the enemy soldiers were close to the opposite shore and could be heard by the Israelites. These troops use the term YHWH, or Yahweh, reflecting the name of God declared to Moses (Exodus 3:15; 14:18), and by Moses to others (Exodus 5:1–2). Unfortunately for these Egyptians, it is too late to escape the sea (Exodus 14:26–28).

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