Exodus 14:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’

NIV: Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’

NASB: For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’

CSB: Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in.

NLT: Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’

KJV: For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

NKJV: For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’

Pharaoh, Egypt's king, released the entire nation of enslaved Israelites (Exodus 1:11–14) after the terrible death of the firstborn at Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). Previously, he had promised to free the people, only to change his mind when those plagues faded (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20). The same will happen yet again (Exodus 14:5–7). God has arranged Israel at the seashore, after taking them southeast rather than north (Exodus 13:17–18). To the Egyptians, this would appear to be a blunder—giving the appearance that the Hebrews are just walking around randomly. In fact, now they are "shut in" by the wilderness and an impassable sea.

This is part of God's plan to prove to Israel that only He has power (Exodus 14:4). Egypt will pursue with its military (Exodus 14:9), but Israel will escape and none of the attacking soldiers will survive (Exodus 14:21–28).

Exodus 14:1–14 explains how Israel came to the seashore not long after being released from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41). Pharaoh, Egypt's king, once again changes his mind about releasing his slaves (Exodus 1:11–14). He sends the Egyptian army after the Israelites. The fleeing people are frightened, but Moses reassures them. This will be the last time Egypt troubles their people.

God leads Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) to make camp in front of the "Sea of Reeds." This is different from the modern-day Red Sea; it is more likely the Gulf of Suez or the wide Lake Timsah. As in the past (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20), Pharaoh changes his mind about Israelite freedom. He gathers soldiers to pursue Israel and catches them at the shore. God blocks the incoming attackers and makes a dry path through the sea for Israel's escape. When the Egyptian forces attempt to follow, God closes the walls of water over them, drowning the entire army.

Egypt's king freed Israel after the devastating death of the firstborn on Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). God led the people southeast, rather than along northern roads (Exodus 13:17–18). This brings them the shore of the Sea of Reeds. Pharaoh sends his military to recapture—or annihilate—the Israelites. Instead, the Egyptian army drowns when God allows the Hebrews to cross between parted waters, only to close them when the soldiers pursue. The next chapter is a song of celebration, thanking God for His incredible, miraculous salvation (Exodus 15).

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.

Accessed 7/30/2025 8:16:39 PM