
Text -- Exodus 14:1-4 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Exo 14:2 - -- hand from Canaan, and to march towards the Red-sea. When they were at Etham, there was no sea in their way to obstruct their passage; but God himself ...
hand from Canaan, and to march towards the Red-sea. When they were at Etham, there was no sea in their way to obstruct their passage; but God himself orders them into straits, which might give them an assurance, that when his purposes were served, he would bring them out of those straits.

Wesley: Exo 14:2 - -- Or the straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched. Migdol and Baal-zephon were cities of Egypt and probably garrison'd.
Or the straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched. Migdol and Baal-zephon were cities of Egypt and probably garrison'd.

Inclosed with mountains, and garrisons, and deserts.
JFB: Exo 14:2 - -- The Israelites had now completed their three days' journey, and at Etham the decisive step would have to be taken whether they would celebrate their i...
The Israelites had now completed their three days' journey, and at Etham the decisive step would have to be taken whether they would celebrate their intended feast and return, or march onwards by the head of the Red Sea into the desert, with a view to a final departure. They were already on the borders of the desert, and a short march would have placed them beyond the reach of pursuit, as the chariots of Egypt could have made little progress over dry and yielding sand. But at Etham, instead of pursuing their journey eastward with the sea on their right, they were suddenly commanded to diverge to the south, keeping the gulf on their left; a route which not only detained them lingering on the confines of Egypt, but, in adopting it, they actually turned their backs on the land of which they had set out to obtain the possession. A movement so unexpected, and of which the ultimate design was carefully concealed, could not but excite the astonishment of all, even of Moses himself, although, from his implicit faith in the wisdom and power of his heavenly Guide, he obeyed. The object was to entice Pharaoh to pursue, in order that the moral effect, which the judgments on Egypt had produced in releasing God's people from bondage, might be still further extended over the nations by the awful events transacted at the Red Sea.

JFB: Exo 14:2 - -- The mouth of the defile, or pass--a description well suited to that of Bedea, which extended from the Nile and opens on the shore of the Red Sea.
The mouth of the defile, or pass--a description well suited to that of Bedea, which extended from the Nile and opens on the shore of the Red Sea.

Some marked site on the opposite or eastern coast.

JFB: Exo 14:3 - -- Pharaoh, who would eagerly watch their movements, was now satisfied that they were meditating flight, and he naturally thought from the error into whi...
Pharaoh, who would eagerly watch their movements, was now satisfied that they were meditating flight, and he naturally thought from the error into which they appeared to have fallen by entering that defile, he could intercept them. He believed them now entirely in his power, the mountain chain being on one side, the sea on the other, so that, if he pursued them in the rear, escape seemed impossible.
Clarke: Exo 14:2 - -- Encamp before Pi-hahiroth - פי ההירת pi hachiroth , the mouth, strait, or bay of Chiroth. Between Migdol, מגדל migdol , the tower, prob...
Encamp before Pi-hahiroth -

Clarke: Exo 14:3 - -- They are entangled in the land - God himself brought them into straits from which no human power or art could extricate them. Consider their situati...
They are entangled in the land - God himself brought them into straits from which no human power or art could extricate them. Consider their situation when once brought out of the open country, where alone they had room either to fight or fly. Now they had the Red Sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and on their right and left hand fortresses of the Egyptians to prevent their escape; nor had they one boat or transport prepared for their passage! If they be now saved, the arm of the Lord must be seen, and the vanity and nullity of the Egyptian idols be demonstrated. By bringing them into such a situation he took from them all hope of human help, and gave their adversaries every advantage against them, so that they themselves said, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

Clarke: Exo 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; ...
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.
Calvin: Exo 14:1 - -- 1.And the Lord spoke unto Moses God, by closing up all the ways by which the Israelites might have escaped, now opens a course for His wonderful powe...
1.And the Lord spoke unto Moses God, by closing up all the ways by which the Israelites might have escaped, now opens a course for His wonderful power, and by bringing them for one moment to despair, provided for the safety of His Church through a long period of time. This final act, then, marvelously illustrated the grace of God, so that the people, however ungrateful and disaffected they might be, should still acknowledge God as their deliverer; besides, its consequence was, that the forces of Egypt not only being broken, but the whole nation being destroyed, or, at least, the flower of it extinguished, it brought no further trouble upon the people until they were established in the land of Canaan. If they had freely and peacefully gone forth, with the king and the people of Egypt quiet, the former miracles would not have sufficiently availed to testify their redemption; but when, being everywhere shut in, they see nothing but death before them, whilst the sea suddenly and unexpectedly affords them a passage, and overwhelms their enemies pressing on them from behind, they are obliged to confess that they were not only saved from death but from the deepest abysses by the hand of God. But it appears that, when they were commanded by Moses to cast themselves, and, as it were, to ingulf themselves in the narrow passage, of which mention is made, they were astonished by the miracles, and like them that dream, since they obeyed without hesitation, although the very aspect of the place must have inspired them with horror. For, if they had apprehended danger, their readiness to obey would not have been so great, as we shall presently see. Wherefore it was the intention of Moses not so much to praise them, as the providence of God. For it is plain, that unless they had been amazed by the miracles, of which they had seen so many, they scarcely could have been induced willingly to throw themselves into. defiles from whence there was no retreat. From the word

Calvin: Exo 14:3 - -- 3.For Pharaoh will say God here explains to Hoses His design; although, in His engagements with Pharaoh, he had so often gained glorious victories, t...
3.For Pharaoh will say God here explains to Hoses His design; although, in His engagements with Pharaoh, he had so often gained glorious victories, that the last act still remained to overwhelm him and his army in the sea. He says that Pharaoh, then, will be caught in riffs snare, so as to rush upon his destruction. For, if the people had come into the land of Canaan by a direct course, they could not have been so readily pursued; therefore God, for the sake, of magnifying His glory, set a bait to catch the tyrant, just as fish are hooked. The word here used

TSK: Exo 14:2 - -- that they : Exo 14:9, Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18; Num 33:7, Num 33:8
Pi-hahiroth : Pi̇hachiroth , ""the mouth of Chiroth,""as it is rendered by the LXX. ...
that they : Exo 14:9, Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18; Num 33:7, Num 33:8
Pi-hahiroth :
Migdol : The word
Baalzephon : This may have been the name of a town or city in which Baal was worshipped; and probably called

TSK: Exo 14:3 - -- Pharaoh : Exo 7:3, Exo 7:4; Deu 31:21; Psa 139:2, Psa 139:4; Eze 38:10, Eze 38:11, Eze 38:17; Act 4:28
They are entangled : Jdg 16:2; 1Sa 23:7, 1Sa 23...

TSK: Exo 14:4 - -- harden : Exo 14:8, Exo 14:17, Exo 4:21-31, Exo 7:3, Exo 7:13, Exo 7:14; Rom 11:8
I will be : Exo 14:18, Exo 9:16, Exo 15:10, Exo 15:11, Exo 15:14-16, ...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Exo 14:2 - -- That they turn - i. e. away from the wilderness, and go southwards, to the west of the Bitter Lakes, which completely separated them from the d...
That they turn - i. e. away from the wilderness, and go southwards, to the west of the Bitter Lakes, which completely separated them from the desert.
Pi-hahiroth - The place is generally identified with Ajrud, a fortress with a very large well of good water, situated at the foot of an elevation commanding the plain which extends to Suez, at a distance of four leagues. The journey from Etham might occupy two, or even three days.
Migdol - A tower, or fort, the "Maktal"of Egyptian monuments; it is probably to be identified with Bir Suweis, about two miles from Suez.
Baal-zephon - The name under which the Phoenicians, who had a settlement in Lower Egypt at a very ancient period, worshipped their chief Deity. There can be no doubt it was near Kolsum, or Suez. From the text it is clear that the encampment of the Israelites extended over the plain from Pi-hahiroth: their headquarters being between Bir Suweis and the sea opposite to Baal-Zephon. At Ajrud the road branches off in two directions, one leading to the wilderness by a tract, now dry, but in the time of Moses probably impassable (see next note); the other leading to Suez, which was doubtless followed by the Israelites.

Barnes: Exo 14:3 - -- They are entangled ... - The original intention of Moses was to go toward Palestine by the wilderness: when that purpose was changed by GodR...
They are entangled ... - The original intention of Moses was to go toward Palestine by the wilderness: when that purpose was changed by God’ s direction and they moved southwards, Pharaoh, on receiving information, was of course aware that they were completely shut in, since the waters of the Red Sea then extended to the Bitter Lakes. It is known that the Red Sea at some remote period extended considerably further toward the north than it does at present. In the time of Moses the water north of Kolsum joined the Bitter Lakes, though at present the constant accumulation of sand has covered the intervening space to the extent of 8000 to 10,000 yards.
Poole: Exo 14:2 - -- Pi-hahiroth, Heb the month of Hiroth, i.e. the entrance or straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched, and were enclosed o...
Pi-hahiroth, Heb the month of Hiroth, i.e. the entrance or straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched, and were enclosed on both sides.
Migdol a city in Egypt, Jer 44:1 , wherein it is thought there was a garrison.
Baal-zephon another place of note, situated in a high place, and having a fair and large prospect, and possibly a garrison too.

There are enclosed with mountains, and garrisons, and deserts.

Poole: Exo 14:4 - -- I will be honoured by the manifestation of my power and justice. I will be honoured, by the manifestation of my power and justice.
I will be honoured by the manifestation of my power and justice. I will be honoured, by the manifestation of my power and justice.
Haydock: Exo 14:1 - -- Beelsephon, means "the lord of the watch-tower." Some think an idol was thus denominated, whose office it was to prevent people from quitting the co...
Beelsephon, means "the lord of the watch-tower." Some think an idol was thus denominated, whose office it was to prevent people from quitting the country. How vain were his efforts against God's people!

In. Between craggy mountains and the Red Sea. (Haydock)

Haydock: Exo 14:4 - -- And he will. Protestants falsely translate, "that he may," &c., contrary to the Hebrew and other versions. (Worthington)
And he will. Protestants falsely translate, "that he may," &c., contrary to the Hebrew and other versions. (Worthington)
Gill: Exo 14:1 - -- And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Out of the pillar of the cloud in which he went before them; either while they were at Etham, or when journeying fr...
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Out of the pillar of the cloud in which he went before them; either while they were at Etham, or when journeying from thence, and a little before they turned off to the right, as they were now directed:
saying; as follows:

Gill: Exo 14:2 - -- Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn,.... Not return to Egypt, or to the place, or towards the place from whence they came, but turn off,...
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn,.... Not return to Egypt, or to the place, or towards the place from whence they came, but turn off, out of the road in which they were; for, as a late traveller says a,"there were two roads, through which the Israelites might have been conducted from Cairo (which he supposes may be Rameses) to Pihahiroth. One of them lies through the valleys, as they are now called, of Jendily, Rumaleah, and Baideah, bounded on each side by the mountains of the lower Thebais; the other lies higher, having the northern range of these mountains (the mountains of Mocattee) running parallel with it on the right hand, and the desert of the Egyptian Arabia, which lies all the way open to the land of the Philistines, on the left, (see Exo 13:17) about the middle of this range we may turn short on our right hand into the valley of Baideah, through a remarkable breach or discontinuation, in which we afterwards continued to the very banks of the Red sea; this road then, through the valley of Baideah, which is some hours longer than the other open road, which leads directly from Cairo to Suez, was in all probability the very road which the Israelites took to Pihahiroth, on the banks of the Red sea.''And again he says b, this valley ends at the sea in a small bay, made by the eastern extremities of the mountains, and is called "Tiah beni Israel", i.e. the road of the Israelites, from a tradition of the Arabs, of their having passed through it; as it is also called Baideah from the new and unheard of miracle that was wrought near it, by dividing the Red sea, and destroying therein Pharaoh, his chariots and horsemen:
and encamp before Pihahiroth: which was sixteen miles from Etham c, and by some d thought to be the same with the city of Heroes (or Heroopolis), on the extreme part of the Arabic gulf, or the Phagroriopolis, placed by Strabo e near the same place: according to the above traveller f, Pihahiroth was the mouth, or the most advanced part of the valley of Baideah to the eastward toward the Red sea; with which Jarchi in some measure agrees, who says Pihahiroth is Pithom, now so called, because the Israelites became free: they (Hahiroth) are two rocks, and the valley between them is called (Pi) the mouth of the rocks: so Dr. Shaw observes g; the word may be deduced from
between Migdol and the sea; which signifies a tower, and might be one: there was a city of this name in Egypt, and in those parts, but whether the same with this is not certain, Jer 44:1.
over against Baalzephon; which the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem take to be an "idol": and so does Jarchi, and say it was the only one left of the idols of Egypt; see Exo 12:12 and so some Christian as well as Jewish writers suppose it to be; and that it was as a watch, or guard, or amulet, to keep fugitives from going out of the land: but by Ezekiel the tragedian k it is called a city; and so by Josephus l, who says they came to Baalzephon the third day, a place situated by the Red sea; which is most likely, and it is highly probable that this and Migdol were two fortified places, which guarded the mouth of the valley, or the straits which led to the Red sea: Artapanus m the Heathen historian agrees with Josephus in saying it was the third day when they came to the Red sea:
before it shall ye encamp by the sea; and there wait till Pharaoh came up to them.

Gill: Exo 14:3 - -- For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel,.... The Septuagint version adds, "to his people", his ministers and courtiers, when he hears where the...
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel,.... The Septuagint version adds, "to his people", his ministers and courtiers, when he hears where they are:
they are entangled in the land; have lost their way, and got into places they cannot easily get out of, and are perplexed in their minds, and do not know what way to take or course to steer:
the wilderness hath shut them in; or, "shut up the way to them" n; the wilderness between the mountains the above mentioned traveller speaks of o the mountains of Gewoubee; these would stop their flight or progress to the southward, as those of the Attackah would do the same towards the land of the Philistines; the Red sea likewise lay before them to the east, while Pharaoh (could) close up the valley behind them, with his chariots and his horsemen; and which, no doubt, appeared very advantageous and encouraging to him, as it must be very distressing to the Israelites.

Gill: Exo 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...
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 upon them; especially those that shall remain in the land, and will not be involved in the catastrophe:
and they did so: the Israelites turned to the right to Pihahiroth, instead of going by Bishbesh and Tinah (Bubastis and Pelusium), and so along the sea coast towards Gaza and Ascalon, and encamped there between Migdol and the sea over against Baalzephon, as they were ordered and directed.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Exo 14:1 The account recorded in this chapter is one of the best known events in all of Scripture. In the argument of the book it marks the division between th...

NET Notes: Exo 14:2 The places have been tentatively identified. W. C. Kaiser summarizes the suggestions that Pi-Hahiroth as an Egyptian word may mean “temple of th...

NET Notes: Exo 14:3 The expression has also been translated “the desert has shut [the way] for them,” and more freely “[the Israelites are] hemmed in by...

Geneva Bible: Exo 14:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they ( a ) turn and encamp before ( b ) Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: befor...

Geneva Bible: Exo 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will ( c ) be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptia...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Exo 14:1-31
TSK Synopsis: Exo 14:1-31 - --1 God instructs the Israelites in their journey.5 Pharaoh pursues after them.10 The Israelites murmur.13 Moses comforts them.15 God instructs Moses.19...
MHCC -> Exo 14:1-9
MHCC: Exo 14:1-9 - --Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. ...
Matthew Henry -> Exo 14:1-9
Matthew Henry: Exo 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 expres...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Exo 14:1-2; Exo 14:3-9
Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 14:1-2 - --
Passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea; Destruction of Pharaoh and His Army. - Exo 14:1, Exo 14:2. At Etham God commanded the Israelites to t...

Keil-Delitzsch: Exo 14:3-9 - --
This turn in their route was not out of the way for the passage through the Red Sea; but apart from this, it was not only out of the way, but a very...
Constable: Exo 1:1--15:22 - --I. THE LIBERATION OF ISRAEL 1:1--15:21
"The story of the first half of Exodus, in broad summary, is Rescue. The ...

Constable: Exo 13:17--15:22 - --D. God's completion of Israel's liberation 13:17-15:21
The Israelites now began their migration from Gos...
