Exodus 13:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

NIV: So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

NASB: Therefore God led the people around by way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in battle formation from the land of Egypt.

CSB: So he led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.

NLT: So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

KJV: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

NKJV: So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

God's care for Israel did not suddenly stop when they were granted freedom (Exodus 12:29–32). As they travel, He leads them (Exodus 13:21–22) southeast, rather than north. To the north were Egyptian roads leading into Philistine territory (Exodus 23:31) A very recently freed nation of slaves would not have been trained for war or armed with enough weapons to fight. This verse uses the rare Hebrew word hamusim, and some translations suggest the Hebrews were prepared for war. While they may have been mentally expecting a fight, this more likely means they marched with organized purpose, as would an army.

At the time of the exodus, there was no body of water called the "Red Sea." The Hebrew phrase yam suph literally means "Sea of Reeds." Some identify this as the modern Gulf of Aqaba, on the far east side of the Sinai peninsula. But this is extremely far from where Israel left Egypt (Exodus 12:37). Much more likely is that God took Israel towards the Gulf of Suez, which is a northern extension of what is now called the "Red Sea." This would have quickly brought the nation to the modern-called Lake Timsah at Ismailia in Egypt. Also nearby is a larger body called the Great Bitter Lake. At one of these locations, Israel will experience yet another amazing miracle as God saves them from the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14).

Exodus 13:17–22 depicts Israel's initial travel out of Egypt. Moses personally carries the bones of Joseph (Genesis 50:25). God's chosen path avoids Philistine territory so the people won't be tempted to backtrack into Egypt. He leads the people using a column of clouds which also contains flames or lightning. This allows the nation to keep moving, day and night. This hasty movement is important. Egyptian soldiers will not catch up to Israel until they are at the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:5–9). There, the Lord will perform another miraculous act of rescue (Exodus 14:26–30).

God reiterates the requirements of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel is to celebrate this every year as a way of remembering their liberation from Egyptian slavery. In addition, the people are to consecrate all of the first-born of any mother—both people and animals. Animals that cannot be sacrificed are to be redeemed. Sons are to be redeemed by an animal sacrifice. The Lord creates a column of clouds for the people to follow during the day, which is lit by fire so they can also follow it at night. This keeps them moving quickly. Soon, Egyptian soldiers will catch up to them and God will once again provide miraculous rescue (Exodus 14).

The Lord has just freed Israel from centuries of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12). The final blow to Egypt was the death of all firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) on the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:12–13). God's guidelines for that night are partly repeated here along with directions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He instructs the nation about consecrating their own firstborn as He guides them. A column of fiery clouds helps the people travel day and night. This haste is important because Egypt's king is about to change his mind. He will soon send the Egyptian military to chase down the Israelites (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.