Exodus 14:4-9

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 14:4

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 14:8

And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt ,.... As he said he would, Exodus 14:4 , and he pursued after the children of Israel ; took their rout in pursuit of them: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand : not once dreaming they should be pursued by Pharaoh as an enemy, when they went out with his full consent, and with such pressing solicitations to be gone, and with so much favour shown them by the Egyptians; wherefore they set out, and went on with... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:4

I will harden Pharaoh's heart - After relenting and giving them permission to depart, he now changes his mind and determines to prevent them; and without any farther restraining grace, God permits him to rush on to his final ruin, for the cup of his iniquity was now full. 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

Grupo de Marcas