And he made ready his chariot ,.... Which he usually rode in when he went forth to war; for this seems to be a military chariot, and not for show or grandeur; and this was got ready not by himself, as Jarchi, but rather by his orders, as Aben Ezra: and took his people with him ; the Greek version reads, "all his people"; not all his subjects, but his soldiers; at least a great number, and especially his cavalry. read more
And he took six hundred chosen chariots ,.... The chief and best he had, war chariots, chariots of iron; perhaps such as had iron scythes to them, to cut down men as they drove along; these were taken partly for quickness of dispatch, that they might be able the sooner to overtake the Israelites, who had got several days' marches before them; and partly for their strength and the annoyance of their enemies with them: and all the chariots of Egypt : as many as could in so short a time be... read more
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt ,.... As he said he would, Exodus 14:4 , and he pursued after the children of Israel ; took their rout in pursuit of them: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand : not once dreaming they should be pursued by Pharaoh as an enemy, when they went out with his full consent, and with such pressing solicitations to be gone, and with so much favour shown them by the Egyptians; wherefore they set out, and went on with... read more
But the Egyptians pursued after them ,.... When they thought nothing of it, and had no fears about it: all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army ; by the latter Aben Ezra understands the foot, as distinguished from the cavalry, the horses and horsemen; and perhaps these, as before observed, might be carried in the chariots for quicker dispatch: and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon ; where they had pitched their camp... read more
And when Pharaoh drew nigh ,.... Or "caused to draw nigh" F20 הקריב "fecit accedere", Pagninus, Montanus; "admovit castra", Junius & Tremellius. ; that is, his army, brought it very near to the camp of the Israelites: the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them ; in great numbers, with full speed, threatening them with utter destruction: and they were sore afraid ; being an unarmed people, though numerous, and so unable to... read more
And they said unto Moses ,.... The Targum of Jonathan is,"the ungodly of that generation said unto Moses;'but it seems rather to be understood of the body of the people in general, and is not to be limited to some particular persons of the worse characters among them: because there were no graves in Egypt ; as if there had been none, when there were so many; the Egyptians being more solicitous about their graves than their houses, as Diodorus Siculus reports F21 Bibliothec. l. 1. p.... read more
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt ,.... The thing they suggested to him, and talked with him about while they were in the land of Egypt, before they came out of it, particularly after their service and bondage were made more severe and cruel upon Moses and Aaron's demanding their dismission, see Exodus 5:21 , saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians ? peaceably and quietly, as we have been used to do, since there is no likelihood of being freed, and since... read more
And Moses said unto the people ,.... Not in wrath and anger, but very coolly and sedately, agreeably to his character of the meekest man on earth; though what they had said to him was very insulting and provoking: fear ye not ; Pharaoh and his numerous host, do not be dismayed at them or possess yourselves with a dread of them, and of destruction by them: stand still ; do not stir from the place where you are, do not offer to run away, or to make your escape by flight (and which... read more
The Lord shall fight for you ,.... By commanding the wind of the heavens, and the waves of the sea, and employing them against their enemies, and on their behalf; they being unarmed, and so not in a condition to fight for themselves, as well as they had no heart or spirit for it: and ye shall hold your peace ; be still, and quiet, and easy in your minds, and forbear saying or doing anything; "be silent"; and neither express the fear and distress of their minds, by any mournful sounds,... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:5
And it was told the king of Egypt ,.... By some of the Egyptians, or mixed multitude that went out with Israel, but returned upon their encampment at the Red sea, or by some spies Pharaoh sent with them to observe their motions: the Targums of Jonathan and Jarchi make use of a word which Buxtorf translates military officers: and the latter says, they went out with them the three days' journey, but the Israelites not returning to Egypt (as expected), they tell Pharaoh of it the fourth day;... read more