Exodus 14:1-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 14:1-9

We have here, I. Instructions given to Moses concerning Israel's motions and encampments, which were so very surprising that if Moses had not express orders about them before they would scarcely have been persuaded to follow the pillar of cloud and fire. That therefore there might be no scruple nor dissatisfaction about it, Moses is told before, 1. Whither they must go, Exod. 14:1, 2. They had got to the edge of the wilderness (Exod. 13:20), and a stage or two more would have brought them to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 14:10-14

We have here, I. The fright that the children of Israel were in when they perceived that Pharaoh pursued them, Exod. 14:10. They knew very well the strength and rage of the enemy, and their own weakness; numerous indeed they were, but all on foot, unarmed, undisciplined, disquieted by long servitude, and (which was worst of all) now penned up by the situation of their camp, so that they could not make their escape. On the one hand was Pi-hahiroth, a range of craggy rocks impassable; on the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 14:15-20

We have here, I. Direction given to Israel's leader. 1. What he must do himself. He must, for the present, leave off praying, and apply himself to his business (Exod. 14:15): Wherefore cryest thou unto me? Moses, though he was assured of a good issue to the present distress, yet did not neglect prayer. We read not of one word he said in prayer, but he lifted up to God his heart, the language of which God well understood and took notice of. Moses's silent prayers of faith prevailed more with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 14:21-31

We have here the history of that work of wonder which is so often mentioned both in the Old and New Testament, the dividing of the Red Sea before th 3b1a e children of Israel. It was the terror of the Canaanites (Josh. 2:9, 10), the praise and triumph of the Israelites, Ps. 114:3; Ps. 106:9; 136:13, 14. It was a type of baptism, 1 Cor. 10:1, 2. Israel's passage through it was typical of the conversion of souls (Isa. 11:15), and the Egyptians? perdition in it was typical of the final ruin of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... Out of the pillar of the cloud in which he went before them; either while they were at Etham, or when journeying from thence, and a little before they turned off to the right, as they were now directed: saying ; as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn ,.... Not return to Egypt, or to the place, or towards the place from whence they came, but turn off, out of the road in which they were; for, as a late traveller says F1 Dr. Shaw's Travels, p. 307. Ed. 2. ,"there were two roads, through which the Israelites might have been conducted from Cairo (which he supposes may be Rameses) to Pihahiroth. One of them lies through the valleys, as they are now called, of Jendily, Rumaleah, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:3

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel ,.... The Septuagint version adds, "to his people", his ministers and courtiers, when he hears where they are: they are entangled in the land ; have lost their way, and got into places they cannot easily get out of, and are perplexed in their minds, and do not know what way to take or course to steer: the wilderness hath shut them in ; or, "shut up the way to them" F14 סגר עליהם "clausit viam illis", Pagninus, "praeclusit sese... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart ,.... Once more, as he had often done: that he shall follow after them : to Pihahiroth, and even into the sea after them: and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host ; in his wisdom, faithfulness, power, and justice, by the destruction of them: that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord ; the only Jehovah, the Lord God omnipotent; even those that feel the weight of his hand while troubling their host, and bringing the waters... read more

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:6

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

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