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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

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 14:9

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

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