Exodus 14:25 - Exposition

And took off their chariot wheels . The Sept. has "clogged the axles of their chariots;" but this is from a reading not at present found in the Hebrew MSS . Most modern commentators, however, prefer the reading, which gives a good sense; whereas the existing text is unintelligible. As Kalisch observes, "if the wheels of the chariots had been broken off, the chariots would not have moved at all." That they drove them heavily. The marginal rendering, "and made them go heavily," is preferable. The wheels no doubt sank into the sand up to the axles, and were with difficulty extricated, again to sink a few yards further on. Progress was thus greatly retarded. So that the Egyptians said, "Let us flee." Literally, "And Egypt said, ' I will flee.'" The Lord fighteth for them . Compare the promise of Moses ( Exodus 14:14 ). The Egyptians were convinced, by the various obstacles which they encountered, that Jehovah was lending his people active aid, and miraculously obstructing their advance. If this were so, it was of no use to persevere, and accordingly they began their retreat.