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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:7

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:7

Six hundred chosen chariots, etc. - According to the most authentic accounts we have of war-chariots, they were frequently drawn by two or by four horses, and carried three persons: one was charioteer, whose business it was to guide the horses, but he seldom fought; the second chiefly defended the charioteer; and the third alone was properly the combatant. It appears that in this case Pharaoh had collected all the cavalry of Egypt; (see Exodus 14:17 ;); and though these might not have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-9

Trial and Judgment. I. GOD LEADS INTO TRIAL BUT ASSURES Or VICTORY . 1 . The command to turn and. shut themselves in between the wilderness and the sea. God leads us where troubles will assail us. Jesus was driven of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 . The circumstances of God's people are taken advantage of by their foes. Pharaoh imagined his time had now come. Earthly foes may strike at such a time; Satan surely will 3 . The result... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-12

Israel stricken with terror by reason of a deliverance not yet completed. It is plain that the Israelites, going out of Egypt. in such circumstances as they did, must have gone out in a state of great exhilaration, almost beside themselves with joy at such a complete reversal of all their past experiences at the hands of Pharaoh. Moreover we are assured in Exodus 14:8 that they went out with a high hand. The power of God for the deliverance of Israel was manifested in great fulness. What... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:5-10

The pursuit "It was told the King of Egypt that the people fled," etc. Consider:— I. THE MOTIVES OF THE PURSUIT . The motives were various. 1 . Pharaoh had already repented of having let the people go ( Exodus 14:5 ). Their departure was a sore humiliation to him. Wounded pride was aggravated by the sense of material loss. "As serfs and bondagers, the Israelites were invaluable, and to let them go was to annihilate the half of Egypt's industry" (Hamilton). Pharaoh and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:7

Six hundred chosen chariots . Diodorus Siculus assigns to one Egyptian king a force of 27,000 chariots (1. 54, § 4), which however is probably beyond the truth. But the 1200 assigned to Shishak ( 2 Chronicles 12:3 ) may well be regarded as historical; and the great kings of the nineteenth dynasty would possess at least an equal number. The "six hundred chosen chariots" set in motion on this occasion probably constituted a division of the royal body-guard (Herod. 2.168). The remaining force... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 14:7

Six hundred chosen chariots - The Egyptian army comprised large numbers of chariots, each drawn by two horses, with two men, one bearing the shield and driving, the other fully armed. The horses were thoroughbred, renowned for strength and spirit. Chariots are first represented on the monuments of the 18th dynasty. By “all the chariots of Egypt” we are to understand all that were stationed in Lower Egypt, most of them probably at Rameses and other frontier garrisons near the headquarters of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 14:7

Exodus 14:7. Six hundred chosen chariots The strength of ancient Egypt, which is a plain country, consisted in cavalry and military chariots. Indeed, it appears from sundry passages of Scripture, that the eastern nations in general, in the early ages of the world, made great use of armed chariots in war. Captains over every one of them Or rather over all of them, distributing the command of them to his several captains. read more

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