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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 14:5

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

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 14:5

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:5

Verse 5 5.And it was told the king. Moses does not simply mean, that the king then first heard of the flight of the people, which had been anything but secret; but that the circumstances were reported to him, which stirred him up to make an attack upon them. When, then, he hears that the people fled in haste, he thinks that they may be retained by the slightest obstacle. Nor is he alone influenced by this foolish thought, but all his courtiers blame their own inertness for letting the people... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:6

Verse 6 6.And he made ready his chariot. Moses briefly describes the warlike preparation of Pharaoh, not only to magnify the greatness of God’s power in delivering the people, but also to show with what violent and obstinate audacity the wicked go forwards, when they give way to their depraved and criminal lusts. Just now the Egyptians were almost frightened to death, and cried out that all was over with them; scarcely has a day passed, when they collect a powerful army as if their forces were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-5

The command to encamp by the sea. These verses introduce the narrative of what the Lord "did in the Red Sea" ( Numbers 21:14 ), when his people "passed through … as by dry land; which the Egyptians, assaying to do , were drowned" ( Hebrews 11:29 ). This crossing of the Red Sea was no after-thought. God had it in view when he turned aside the path of the children of Israel from the direct route, and ordered them to encamp before Pi-hahiroth, near the northern end of the gulf. His... 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

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