Exodus 14:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.

NIV: He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.

NASB: and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.

CSB: he took six hundred of the best chariots and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with officers in each one.

NLT: He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander.

KJV: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

NKJV: Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.

Egypt's king has changed his mind about freeing the enslaved nation of Israel (Exodus 14:5–6). He is preparing an enormously powerful force to bring the fleeing Hebrews back. Pharaoh, himself, is commanding these troops. Each chariot would have had at least two men: one to drive the horses and another to wield spear, javelins, or arrows. Egypt is sending at least 1,200 chosen warriors, plus "all the other chariots" of the nation. In that era, this would have been a sizable and intimidating force.

This verse is one of many reasons many biblical scholars believe traditional interpretations of Israel's population are mistranslations. The word for "thousands" in Hebrew is 'eleph, but the term can also refer to clans, groups, or other divisions. If the six hundred 'eleph which left Egypt (Exodus 12:37) were more than a half-million adult men, Israel would have been among the most powerful armies of ancient history. However, the people will fear Egypt's chariots (Exodus 14:10). God will later make a point of saying that Israel is smaller and weaker than the nations they will displace from Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:1, 17; 9:1–2). A more likely case is that Israel has neither the size nor the resources to mount a defense.

Of course, this nation is composed of recently freed slaves. Enormous or not, they would expect to suffer terribly from an attack by chariots with ranged weapons. Regardless of their population, Israel had reasons to dread the oncoming soldiers. They are in no position to flee because the Lord has arranged them against the seashore (Exodus 14:2). Yet this is part of God's plan to seal their release from Egypt permanently (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.