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"And Moses saide vnto the people, Feare ye not, stand still, and see the saluation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye haue seene to day, ye shall see them againe no more for euer. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
- Exodus 14: 13 - 14, 1611 King James Version, see link below.
1
And spoke YHWH to Moses saying:
2 - 3 Summary:
God tells them to camp before Pi Hahiroth (Pi Hachiroth), between "Migdol" (tower / watchtower) and the sea, opposite Baal Tsephon (Baal Zephon)
Pharaoh will say the sons of Israel are "buk" (confused, perplexed (the root implies 'empty headed')) by the "erets" (country / land) "sagar" (closed / isolated) them the "midbar" (wilderness / desert).
The locations of the sites named Pi Hahiroth / Pi Hachiroth and Baal Tsephon / Baal Zephon is unknown. However, one thing can be guessed from the names. "Pi" is a known prefix for Egyptian cities, such as Pi Rameses. Baal, isn't. That term isn't common until you get out of Egypt, and possibly into what is now Saudi Arabia and north into Canaan.
As far as where Migdol is.... they were everywhere along the border and on the sea.
This same early itinerary of the route is recounted in Numbers 33 without adding any new information.
A Look at the Timeline of the Exodus:
One of the things that comes up is the possible distance covered by the people during a day on the Exodus.
An otherwise healthy adult can walk, at a comfortable pace, not a 'force march', up to about 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km) in a period of 8 to 10 hours.
But we have to remember, this was a multitude of people. Possible population estimates based on the chapter 12 verse 37 statement of "600,000 men-at-arms" of between two to three million are considered reasonable. Plus you have to consider that they had children, and old people, and herds of animals.
Given all that, there's no way they covered twenty five miles in a reasonable day of travel. Also, the idea that the people are herding flocks of sheep and goats, as well as cattle, along with them, which have to be allowed time to eat and drink as they cross the desert, you'd be lucky to get ten to fifteen miles a day from them.
There's a link below to an historic sheep drive in Australia. They traveled a couple of thousand miles with a large herd of sheep, and it took them a year and a half to get to their destination, an average of about 35 miles a week. And they didn't have two million people to move along the route with their sheep.
And even if Israel moved, as the text says, 'in orderly ranks' as is stated in chapter 12 verse 51, you'd think that by the time those bringing up the rear started moving, those following the pillar of cloud would be almost halfway to wherever they were going.
So when you see the "stations of the Exodus" and they have a timeline of "day three they reached this point, and day five they were there...." It's nonsense. Which is why we will not be linking to any of those touristy sorts of websites. There is a non-tourist website linked below about one of the possible crossing sites which has some merit and makes some interesting points. And we'll come back to those points later.
end
4
I will "chazaq" (harden (same word as before)) "leb" (heart / mind) of Pharaoh, to "radaph" (pursue / chase / follow) them, and I will be "kabad" (honored / glorified) over Pharaoh, and over "kal" (all) his "chel" (army / strength (term has military meaning)), that "yada" (know / understand / acknowledge) that I am YHWH. And they "asah" (perform / acted / accomplish) "ken" (thus).
The scene changes.
There is no day specified. We don't know if this was right after the night of the deaths of the firstborn, a week later, or more. We also don't know how Moses knows what was said to the king, and his immediate response.
5 - 7 Extended Summary:
The king of Egypt is informed that "ha am" (the people) have "barach" (escaped / ran away), and the heart of him and his servants was turned against the people...
Note: the text here does not identify 'the people' until later.
... they said what have we done, that we let go Israel from serving us. So he "asar" (prepared / made ready) his "rekeb" (chariot). And he took six hundred chariots "bachur" (chosen / selected)...
Note: the impression given is that the king selected his elite unit to pursue the Hebrews. And as can be seen at the battle link below, Egypt was known to have thousands of chariots.
... and "kol" (all) the chariots of Egypt, with captains over all of them.
8
And "chazaq" (hardened) YHWH the "leb" (heart / mind) of Pharaoh "melek" (king) of Egypt, and he "radaph" (pursued / chased) after the Sons of Israel - and ...
"ben" (sons) of "Yisrael (Israel) "yatsa" (depart / go out) with "rum" (with pride / haughty (idea of 'holding head high').
9 Summary and discussion
So Pharaoh pursued them and overtook them with his 'chariots, horsemen, and army' at the camp by the sea.
Even if they weren't moving at full speed, the Egyptian military wouldn't have had any problem tracking and catching the Hebrews, no matter how much of a head start they had. Also, in the earlier verses the king was only taking his chariots. This verse includes "parash" (horsemen / riders) and his "chayil" (army / force of men).
10
and when Pharaoh "qarab" (approached / came near), and "nasah" (lifted / arose) the sons of Israel their "ayin" (eyes / sight) and "hinneh" (beheld / saw), Egypt "nasa" (traveled / moved) "achar" (behind / after) them. They "yare'" (afraid / fear / dread) "meod" (exceedingly / greatly). And "tsaaq" (cried for help) to YHWH.
11
And they said to Moses "beli" (lacking / without) "ayin" (none / not) "qeber" (graves / tombs) in Egypt, you "lawach" (take / bring) us to "muth" (die / be killed) in the "midbar" (desert / wilderness). "mah" (what / why) did/is this "asah" (accomplish / perform) to "yatsa" (come out / bring out) us out of Egypt.
Somebody was wondering if there wasn't enough cemetery plots in Egypt so Moses brought them out to the desert to die. But wait, there's more...
12 Paraphrased Summary and discussion:
'Isn't this what we said in Egypt, leave us alone that we may serve Egypt. It is better to serve than to die in the desert.'
Moses might as well get used to this sort of complaint. He's going to hear it a lot.
13 Summary:
Moses tells the people don't be scared. To "yatsab" ('stand in place') and see "yashuah" (salvation / victory / deliverance) of YHWH, which He will "asah" (make / accomplish / perform) for you "yom" (today) - for who you see - Egypt today- "lo" (no / not) "yasaph" (again / more) "raah" (see) "yasaph" (again / more) "ad" (until) "olam" (eternity / forever).
"yashuah" is also the Hebrew name, and job description, for Jesus.
14
YHWH "lacham" ('to wage war' / to battle / to fight) for you, "attah" (you) be "charash" (silent / still).
Go read Psalm 46 : 10. ... .... even better:
15 -16
And said YHWH to Moses, "mah" (why / how) you "tsaaq" (cry out / call out 'for help') to Me? 'tell the sons of Israel to' "nasa" (depart / set out / etc) - and "attah" (you) "rum" (lift / raise) your "matteh" (staff) and "natah" (extend / stretch out) your "yad" (hand) over "yam" (sea) and "baqa" ('break open' / divide / cleave) it. And shall "bo" (go / enter) the sons of Israel through "tavek" (middle / center) of the sea on "yabbashah" (dry land (same word as creation day three)).
17 - 18 Summary:
God says he will 'harden the hearts / minds' of the Egyptians, not just the king, and they will follow them....
... so I will be "kabad / kabed" (honored / glorified) over Pharaoh, and over all "chel" (army) and his "rekeb" (chariots) and his "parash" (cavalry / riders / horsemen). And shall "yada" (know / understand / acknowledge) that I am YHWH, when I "kabad" (glorified / honored) over Pharaoh, and his chariots and cavalry.
19 - 20 Summary and discussion:
and "nasa" (moved / set out) the "malak ha 'Elohim" (angel of God), "halak" (proceeded / moved) before the "macheneh" (camp / host) of Israel, and "halak" (moved) "achar" (after / behind / following) them, and "halak" (moved) the pillar of cloud from before them and stood behind them. So it was between the camps of Egypt and Israel - and thus it was "anan" (cloud) and "choshek" (darkness (the same darkness from the plague)) and "or" (light / shining) by night......
(word for word).... "we lo" (and not) "qarab" (come near / approach) "zeh" (these / this) "el" (into / unto) "zeh" (these / this) "kal / kol" (all / every) "layil / layelah" (tonight / night).
Up to this point there has been no mention of an angel, or anybody else from 'out of town', besides GOD Himself. In verse 21 of chapter 13 it said the pillar of cloud / fire was the Lord. Now something / somebody else has come to the party. The statement implies that there may have been TWO presences before the people as they moved, one, the angel (perhaps walking along the path to keep Moses focused, we don't know), and the second was God Himself in the cloud.
The last part of the verse above indicates that Neither Side ventured too close to the other while the cloud was between them. Which was probably a good idea.
The sequence here gives you the impression that the next act with Moses raising his hands happens early in the morning and this all happened in the day after the cloud stood between the camps. It may be possible, but moving that many people 'through the sea' may have taken a bit longer than that. In any case... here we go.
21
and "natah" (extended / stretched out) Moses his "yad" (hands) over "yam" (sea) - and caused to "halak" (move) YHWH - the sea by a "ruach" (wind) "qadim" (east) "az" (strong / mighty / fierce) all night, and made the sea into "charanah" (dryness / desolation) and were "baqa" (broke open / divide / 'to cleave') the "mayim" (water).
22 Summary:
So the sons of Israel walked into the middle of the sea on dry ground, and the water was a "chomah" (wall) on their right and left.
As we pointed out earlier, we have no idea how long it takes over two million people, plus their goats and milk cows to walk through the sea, however far it was from one beach to the other.
Time has passed, we don't know how much. It would appear to have been at least a day.
23
And "radaph" (pursue / chase / followed after) Egypt and "bo" (came / go) "achar" (after / behind) "kol" (all) "cuwc" (horses) of Pharaoh, his chariots, his horsemen. "el" (into) "tavek" (midst / middle) of the "yam" (sea).
The Egyptian army has followed the king down into the passage through the sea.
24 -25 Summary And Discussion:
In the morning watch (the fourth watch, 3 to 6 AM (or sunrise), YHWH looked down on the army of Egypt, through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He "hamam" (confused / disturbed (includes a sense of panic)) the army of Egypt. And He "sur" (removed) the "ophan" (wheels) of the "merkabah" (chariots), so they "nahag" (drive) them "kabeduth" (difficulty) - and said Egypt, let us "nus" (flee / escape / retreat) from "panim / paneh" (presence / before) Israel, for YHWH "lacham" (battles / fights / wages war) for them against Egypt.
Go revisit verse 14.
It could be that time passes again, at least another day before the end of the next couple of verses. We'll look at the next three, then have a comment or two.
26
And said YHWH to Moses, "natah" (extend) your "yad" (hand) "al" (over / upon) the "yam" (sea), may "shub" (return / come back) "mayim" (water) "al" (over / upon) "Mitsri" (Egypt) on "rekeb" (chariots) and "parash" (cavalry / riders).
27
And extended Moses his had over the sea, and "shub" (returned...) the "yam" (sea) "panah" (appear / came on) "boqer" (morning) "ethan" (permanent / full). As Egypt, was "nus" (escape / flee) "qirah" ('in the way'), "way" (and) "naar" (overthrow) YHWH - Egypt in the "tavek" (middle) of the "yam" (sea).
28
And "shub" (returned) "mayim" (water) and "kasah" (cover / conceal) the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh "bo" (coming / going) "achar" (after / following) them "bay" (in) "yam" (sea). "lo" (not) "shar" (remain / left / survive) them "ad" (even) "echad" (one / single).
The text reads that it may be possible that some of the Egyptians, perhaps the cavalry, had pursued Israel through the sea and were approaching the far side when they saw the pillar of fire, and realized that they weren't going to win this one, and they turned around and were retreating to back where His Majesty's wheels came off.
Something else this implies is that the passage was a considerable distance across the water. Far enough that the foot soldiers coming behind didn't realize that their leading unit had turned tail.
While we do not know where this occurred, there are expeditions doing underwater scans which may eventually reveal such artifacts that would survive over four thousand years at the bottom of the ocean. Namely the bronze and brass fittings on the chariots, as well as a few odd iron objects, on the sea floor. Wood and bone, even the horse's teeth, would not last that long unless they had been buried in sediment within a short amount of time after the event.
29 - 30 Summary:
But the sons of Israel had walked on dry ground through the sea, the water a wall.... so "yasha" (saved / rescued / delivered / brought to safety) YHWH that day - Israel out of Egypt,....
.... "way" (and) "raah" (saw / looked) Israel - Egypt "muth" (dead) "al" (on / upon) "saphah" (edge / bank / shore) "yam" (sea).
There would have been dead charioteers (they weren't wearing bronze armor), and possibly riders, the various servants and tenders for the troops, as well as horses washed up on the beach. And a lot of them.
31
Thus saw Israel - "yad" (hand / work) "gadol" (great / mighty) that had done YHWH in Egypt - so "yare'" (fear / revere ('hold in reverence')) the "am" (people) YHWH, and "aman" (confirm / support / believe) in YHWH, and Moses His "ebed" (servant / slave).
End Chapter 14
Selected Resources:
All links will open in a new tab/window, all were working as of original date of posting:
Interlinear English / Hebrew: Chapter 14 https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/14.htm
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611_Exodus-Chapter-14/
The Living Bible https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046%3A10&version=TLB
An interesting examination of:
"The Exodus Route" https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-pi-hahiroth.htm
Australia's biggest sheep drive, and the young drover history forgot.
"In September 1882, Thomas hired Caldwell as his head drover, and he, a handful of stockmen, two supply wagons and a pack of sheep dogs set off on the longest sheep drive in the nation's history.
The Barkly Tablelands were 3,500 kilometres (2200 miles) from Thomas's Rich Avon Station at Donald in Victoria's Wimmera region. ... Unaware of the challenges ahead, Thomas assembled a massive sheep flock of 10,000 ewes and 850 rams.
Caldwell's account of the expedition - which took 15 months - described the fierce drought they encountered in western New South Wales, the daily battle to save the flock, the piles of dead sheep, and the expedition's dwindling rations.
In December 1883, the expedition reached Avon Downs Station in the NT, with fewer than half the original flock. '3,700 ewes and about 475 rams...'"
"... The flock that would make droving history..." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-05/australias-longest-sheep-drive-wallace-caldwell-tom-guthrie/105492762
Battle of Kadesh
"Egyptian chariots were fast, versatile and easy to maneuver. They were normally pulled by two horses and had one driver. In some cases, one or two soldiers with bows and up to 100 arrows would also be on board.
At Kadesh, the Egyptians faced a formidable enemy. While Ramses had approximately 2,000 chariots at his disposal, the Hittites had anywhere from 2,500 to 3,700. Overall, there were probably over 5,000 chariots on the battlefield and anywhere between 40,000 and 70,000 soldiers."
https://historycollection.com/battle-kadesh-ramses-ii-became-legend-biggest-chariot-battle-history/
NOTE: The Bible Study Lesson presented above is posted as a reference document to begin a conversation of the topic. And that's it. Please accept it at such.
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