Exodus 14:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him,

NIV: So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him.

NASB: So he had horses harnessed to his chariot and took his people with him;

CSB: So he got his chariot ready and took his troops with him;

NLT: So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.

KJV: And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

NKJV: So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him.

When Egypt released a nation of Hebrew slaves (Exodus 1:11–14), it was only because of a terrible plague (Exodus 11:4–6). Prior disasters had not convinced the Egyptian king, the pharaoh, to free the people (Exodus 5:2; 7:12, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34). Now that the Israelites have left (Exodus 12:33, 40–41), Pharaoh is having second thoughts (Exodus 14:5). This is nothing unusual—the king has often broken his own word (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35).

The more interesting aspect is that Pharaoh is not merely sending troops. He is bringing them "with him," meaning he is leading the army in this charge. This conflict has become intimately personal to Pharaoh (Exodus 4:22–23; 12:29–32). He is also suffering from God's judgment in the form of irrational stubbornness (Exodus 14:8). After so many rejections and refusals, the Lord had stopped offering mercy to Pharaoh and instead began using him (Exodus 14:4) as an object lesson in divine wrath (Exodus 4:21; 10:1–2).

Chariots were common military and travel vehicles of the time. A chariot usually consisted of one or two horses along with two people. One person served as a driver while the second person served as an archer or spearman. Six hundred chariots likely represented 1,200 soldiers. These were probably an elite group, since it seems a massive portion of the Egyptian military is being brought for this attack (Exodus 14:7).

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.