Êxodo 14
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Êxodo 14
Pharaoh in Pursuit The Red Sea Crossing Israel's Deliverance (13:17-14:31) Crossing the Red Sea From Etham to the Red Sea 14:1-4 14:1-4 14:1-4 14:1-4 14:1-4 The Egyptians Pursue the Israelites 14:5-9 14:5-9 14:5-9 14:5-9 14:5-14 14:10-12 14:10-14 14:10-14 14:10-12 The Sea Is Divided 14:13-14 14:13-14 The Miracle of the Sea 14:15-18 14:15-18 14:15-18 14:15-18 14:15-18 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-31 14:21-25 14:21-25 14:21-25 14:21-25 14:26-29 14:26-29 14:26-29 14:26-29 14:30-31 14:30-31 14:30-31 14:30-31 CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Exodus 14 is a prose description of the exodus, while chapter 15 is a poetic description. Also note this same dual literary pattern in Judges 4 and 5. For a good discussion of YHWH as the Divine warrior (i.e., Isa. 59:15c-20), see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 545-549. There are three main theories of the route of the exodus (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ROUTE OF THE EXODUS (uncertain)). the northern marshes along the Mediterranean Sea the central marshes of the Bitter Lakes the southern route, which took them across the northern tip of the body of water called the Red Sea today
Êxodo 14:1-4
14:2 "Tell" This is a Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 180, KB 210). YHWH is in full control. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, Exod. 14:4,8,17 He delivered them, Exod. 14:13 He fought for them, Exod. 14:14,25 He (His angel) separated the Egyptian army and the Israelites all night, Exod. 14:20 He split the Red Sea (by His staff in Moses' hand), Exod. 14:21 He threw the Egyptian army into confusion (as He did the Canaanite armies in the conquest), Exod. 14:24 He caused their chariots to swerve (VERB'S meaning uncertain), Exod. 14:25 He closed the split in the Red Sea so as to destroy the entire Egyptian force that pursued, Exod. 14:27-28 Notice how Israel responded, Exod. 14:31! ▣ "turn back and camp" These are two commands (Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE retrace their route. To the Egyptians it looked like aimless wanderings and that the Israelites were trapped by the water. ▣ "Pi-hahiroth" F. B. Huey, A Study Guide Commentary, Exodus, p. 63, suggests the name is Egyptian and could mean "region of salt marshes" "house of the goddess Hathor" The Hebrew root (BDB 809, cf. Num. 33:7) means "a place of meadows." The location of the site is uncertain. There has been speculation that the phrase means "mouth of the diggings," and refers to a manmade channel which was dug during this period (i.e., 1290 B.C. by Seti I) passing near Qantara (cf. IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 90). ▣ "Migdol" This (BDB 154) means "watch tower." There were many cities by this name. Its location, as most others in this context, is uncertain. Many current Bible study maps have been influenced by which of the three theories of the route of the exodus their producers hold: northern, central, or southern. ▣ "Baal-zephon" This (BDB 128) means "Lord of the north" (cf. Ps. 48:2; Isa. 14:13). This shows that Canaanite fertility worship (i.e. Ba'al) had spread to Egypt. This location is either in the delta region west of the Nile River on a peninsula of the Mediterranean on the highway to Canaan called "the way of the Philistines." See The MacMillan Bible. Also, map #48. Many of the exact locations of this name are uncertain. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST ▣ "by the sea" The Israelites were trapped between the sea, the desert, and the Egyptian army. This body of water could be the Mediterranean (northern route), the Bitter Lakes (middle route), or the Red Sea (southern route). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ROUTE OF THE EXODUS (uncertain) 14:3 NASB, NRSV "wandering aimlessly" "bewildered" "wandering around" "wandering to and fro" "astray in the land" "in difficult country" "wandering in the land" "strangers in the land" This VERB (BDB 100, KB 115, Niphal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is a rare word found only three times in the OT. Exod. 14:3 ‒ of people Esther 3:15 ‒ of people Joel 1:18 ‒ of cattle The basic idea is "in confusion." 14:4 "I will harden Pharaoh's heart" This emphasizes that God is sovereign. Several times in Exodus it says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart and several times it says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (see note at Exod. 4:21). The exact relationship between the two is uncertain. Nevertheless, it is obvious that God used Pharaoh to accomplish His will and yet he was still responsible! This is similar to Judas Iscariot. SPECIAL TOPIC: PREDESTINATION SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD HARDENED ▣ "he will chase after them" This is the fulfillment of Exod. 4:21. YHWH is in control of time, space, history. ▣ "I will be honored" This (BDB 457, cf. Exod. 14:17-18) is the Hebrew word, kabod, "glory." SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT) ▣ "and all his army" The military force that Pharaoh had immediate access to was his royal guard. This was 600 chariots mentioned in Exod. 14:7,23, not the full Egyptian army which would have been spread throughout the Egyptian forts. ▣ "the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord" The plagues lasted about eighteen months and each one of them was an embarrassment to an Egyptian deity. YHWH was working with the Egyptians' faith (cf. Exod. 9:20-21; 10:7) as He was with the Hebrews' faith (cf. Exod. 14:18; 7:5,17). SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Êxodo 14:5-9
14:5 "What is this we have done" The Hebrew slaves' freedom made a drastic economic and social disruption to Egyptian culture. 14:6 "chariot" This instrument of war was developed by the Hittites of Asia Minor. They used a two or three-man chariot. At this time Egypt used their chariots for mobility only. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS 14:7 "select chariots" This (BDB 103, KB 119, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) means that these were the best or newest chariots and soldiers. They made up an elite royal force garrisoned at the delta capital. They were Pharaoh's royal bodyguard. ▣ "officers" This term (BDB 1026 III) may refer to the second or third man in each chariot. Pictures of Egyptian chariots had only two occupants (see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 122). one to drive one to shield one to do combat 14:8 NASB, NRSV "boldly" "with boldness" "triumphantly" "confidently" JPSOA, REV, NET "defiantly" "with a high hand" "victoriously" The ADVERB (BDB 926, KB 1202, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) basically means "to be high," Here it is used of "an uplifted hand." It can refer to a geographical position, voice, or an attitude. Here, it refers to the sense of victory the Israelis had (cf. Num. 33:3). The same form is found in Num. 15:30, translated "who sins defiantly." 14:9 "chased after them" This VERB (BDB 922, KB 1191, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is a hunting term or military term for an active pursuit (cf. Gen. 31:25).
Êxodo 14:10-12
14:10 "they became very frightened" In their fear they attacked God's love God's protection Moses' leadership (cf. Exod. 14:11-12) This is exactly what YHWH predicted in Exod. 13:17. 14:11-12 This is the first of many complaints from "the mixed multitude" that came out of Egypt (mostly in Exodus 15-17 and Numbers 14-17). They were not yet the covenant people, just a rag-tag bunch! some unfaithful, cf. Exod. 15:25; 16:2; 17:2-3,7; Num. 20:3,13; Ezekiel 16; Hos. 2:16 some faithful, cf. Jer. 2:2; Hos. 2:14-15,20 some Israelites, some mixed marriage partners, and some new Egyptian believers
Êxodo 14:13-14
14:13 There are more commands in this verse by Moses to the people. do not fear ‒ BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense stand by ‒ BDB 426, KB 427, Hithpael IMPERATIVE see the salvation of the Lord ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE; the VERB "see" is repeated three times in this verse. see YHWH's salvation never see the Egyptian soldiers again! same as b. ▣ "salvation" This OT term (BDB 447) means "physical deliverance." It is from the root "to be spacious" (cf. James 5:15). The Lord is called "Savior" several times in Isaiah (cf. Isa. 19:20; 43:3,11; 45:15,21; 49:26,60; 60:16; 63:8). This is carried over into the NT (cf. Luke 1:47; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Titus 1:3; 2:10-11; 3:4; Jude v. 25). What a great title and a great God! SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) ▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). 14:14 This is the essence of "Holy War." YHWH acts; Israel watches (cf. Exod. 15:3; Deut. 1:30; 3:22; 20:4).
Êxodo 14:15-18
14:15 "Why are you crying out to Me" There is a time to pray and a time to act! At some appropriate point, faith must become action. 14:15-16 There are several commands from YHWH to Moses for the people. tell, Exod. 14:15 ‒ BDB 180, KB 210, Piel IMPERATIVE go forward, Exod. 14:15 ‒ BDB 652, KB 704, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense lift up your staff, Exod. 14:16 ‒ BDB 926, KB 1202, Hiphil IMPERATIVE stretch out your hand, Exod. 14:16 ‒ BDB 639, KB 692, Qal IMPERATIVE. This is often associated with the plagues (cf. Exod. 6:6; 7:5,19; 8:5,6,16,17; 9:22,23; 10:12,13,21,22). divide it, Exod. 14:16 ‒ BDB 131, KB 149, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Exod. 14:21; Neh. 9:11; Ps. 78:13; Isa. 63:12 go through the midst of the sea, Exod. 14:16 ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense The staff represented YHWH's power but Moses had to use it (Exod. 14:21). God chose to use human instrumentality (cf. Exod. 3:7-10)! 14:16 "on dry land" God controls the boundaries of water (cf. Gen. 1:9-10; Nah. 1:4). Here He splits and dries the Red Sea (cf. Exod. 14:16,27,29; 15:19; Jos. 2:10; Neh. 9:11); He split and dried the Jordan River in the conquest (cf. Jos. 3:17; 4:18,22,23; 5:1; Ps. 66:6). He splits and dries a river for Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kgs. 2:8. SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS 14:17 This verse clearly shows YHWH's sovereignty. See note at Exod. 14:2. 14:18 See note at Exod. 14:4.
Êxodo 14:19-20
14:19 "The angel of God" The angel and the pillar seem to represent one reality—the presence of God (cf. Gen. 16:7-14; 22:15; Exod. 3:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CLOUD. . .THE PILLAR 14:20 "the cloud along with the darkness" Usually the pillar was light at night. Therefore, this phrase denotes the two aspects of the cloud (i.e., shade in daytime, fire at night) shows the distinction between Egypt and Israel (i.e., light to Israel, darkness to the Egyptians (Targums, Symmachus) ▣ "one did not come near the other" This cloud kept the Egyptian army from attacking and the Israelites from surrendering. Notice YHWH again used a natural occurrence (i.e., the wind, Exod. 14:21), but with supernatural intensity and timing. It took "all night" for the wind to dry the ground (i.e., sea bed, cf. Exod. 14:16). Just one more thought, the obvious supernatural aspect of this event is the water piles on both sides (Exod. 14:22,29). One side could be explained by the strong east wind (14:21), but not both sides! Also note the eyewitness detail!
Êxodo 14:21-25
14:21 "Moses stretched out his. . .Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind" Notice the three elements mentioned: God, Moses, and the wind. God often uses natural means in supernatural ways (i.e., the ten plagues). ▣ "east wind" "Wind" is ruah (BDB 924), which can mean "wind," "breath," "spirit." The east wind was a hot, desert wind. SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE 14:23 "horsemen" This refers to the two or three men in each chariot. See note at Exod. 14:7. 14:24 "morning watch" The Israelites crossed over between 2 and 6 a.m. Notice how precise the eyewitness' testimony is. ▣ "the Lord looked down" This is anthropomorphic language (cf. Exod. 3:7-9). SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN ▣ "the pillar of fire and cloud" This is the only place the full title appears. Usually they are listed separately, but often both are listed (i.e., "pillar of cloud," "pillar of fire," cf. Exod. 13:21,22; Num. 14:14; Deut. 31:15). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CLOUD. . .THE PILLAR ▣ "into confusion" The VERB (BDB 243, KB 251, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is used several times of YHWH's acts of defeating Israel's enemies (cf. Exod. 15:16; 23:27; Deut. 7:23; Josh. 10:10; Jdgs. 4:15; 1 Sam. 7:10; 2 Sam. 22:15; 2 Chr. 15:6; Ps. 18:15; 144:6). YHWH fought for them. It was His victory! This is "Holy War" terminology (i.e., YHWH's acts on Israel's behalf all through the exodus and the conquest periods). 14:25 "He caused their chariot wheels to swerve" See note on God's sovereignty shown in this chapter at Exod. 14:2. This VERB (BDB 693, KB 747, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw) has several connotations. "swerve" "took off" NRSV, NJB, Peshitta "clogged" "get stuck" "locked" "bound together the axles" The UBS Text Project, p. 105, suggests the MT's "removed" (ויסר) should be emended to "bound" (ויאסר). It gives it a "B" rating (some doubt).
Êxodo 14:26-29
14:26 This is the reverse of Exod. 14:16. 14:27 "overthrew" This same Hebrew root (BDB 654 II, KB 707, Piel IMPERFECT with waw, lit. "shook off") relates to YHWH as warrior (cf. Isa. 59:17). 14:29 Pharaoh was not with his army. He was not drowned.
Êxodo 14:30-31
14:30 "the Lord saved Israel" This is the VERB form (BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw) of the NOUN "salvation," used in Exod. 14:13. SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT Term) ▣ "the Egyptians dead on the seashore" The east wind miraculously blew their bodies (which floated in their armor) onto the shore so that Israel could take their armor and weapons (see Josephus, Antiq. 2.14.6). 14:31 "power" This is literally "hand," cf. Deut. 34:12. SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND ▣ "feared" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT). ▣ "believed" This is the root "amen," which means "to be firm." It came to be imagery for dependability and trustworthiness. This is the OT term for "faith" (cf. Hab. 2:4; see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ). In the New Testament it is translated into English by three different terms: faith, trust, and believe (see SPECIAL TOPIC: "Believe" in the NT). ▣ "His servant Moses" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT.