Exodus 14:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:10

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:11

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:13

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:14

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:2

Encamp before Pi-hahiroth - ההירת פי pi hachiroth , the mouth, strait, or bay of Chiroth. Between Migdol, מגדל migdol , the tower, probably a fortress that served to defend the bay. Over against Baal-zephon, צפן בעל baal tsephon , the lord or master of the watch, probably an idol temple, where a continual guard, watch, or light was kept up for the defense of one part of the haven, or as a guide to ships. Dr. Shaw thinks that chiroth may denote the valley which extended itself... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:3

They are entangled in the land - God himself brought them into straits from which no human power or art could extricate them. Consider their situation when once brought out of the open country, where alone they had room either to fight or fly. Now they had the Red Sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and on their right and left hand fortresses of the Egyptians to prevent their escape; nor had they one boat or transport prepared for their passage! If they be now saved, the arm... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:4

I will harden Pharaoh's heart - After relenting and giving them permission to depart, he now changes his mind and determines to prevent them; and without any farther restraining grace, God permits him to rush on to his final ruin, for the cup of his iniquity was now full. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:5

And it was told the king - that the people fled - Of their departure he could not be ignorant, because himself had given them liberty to depart: but the word fled here may be understood as implying that they had utterly left Egypt without any intention to return, which is probably what he did not expect, for he had only given them permission to go three days' journey into the wilderness, in order to sacrifice to Jehovah; but from the circumstances of their departure, and the property they... read more

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