Chapter Fourteen
14:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.
Just as Moses and the Israelites were heading out of Egypt, God had them turn back and stop in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon. This is the first appearance of Pi-hahiroth, Migdol, and Baal-zephon in the Bible, even though there is a considerable amount of speculation and theories, their actual locations are still a mystery.
The word ‘Pi-hahiroth,’ when using Hebrew etymology is often thought to mean “mouth of the gorges,” however, when breaking the word down based on Egyptian word formation, it could be a reference to mountains to the west, possibly the range of mountains west of Nueweiba Beach.
Migdol[1] in the Hebrew language refers to a tower or other elevated location. There are several Migdols found in Scripture (see Joshua 19:38; Jeremiah 44:1; 46:14; Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6; Matthew 15:39. Also believed to be the location of Mary Magdalene’s birthplace, see Matthew 27:56, 61; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1,18).
Baal-zephon is considered to be the Canaanite storm god (also known as Hadad). Since he was believed to be a protector of seafaring people and vessels, sanctuaries were constructed in his honor around various waterways by his followers. As a result, the name ‘Baal-zephon’ was also used to identify some of these locations, perhaps this is one of those sanctuaries.
14:3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
Seeing that the Israelites changed direction, Pharaoh believes that the Israelites were lost and were wandering in a location that would shut them in with no way out. God then once again hardens Pharaoh’s heart. Since the Israelites are heading in a direction that has no escape in an area known as the wilderness, he decides to go in pursuit. The Egyptians will know that YHWH defeated Pharaoh as He will receive all the glory over defeating Pharaoh. The reference to “And they did so,” connects back to verse two regarding the new encampment. “So the Israelites camped there as they were told.” (Exodus 14:4b, NLT)
14:5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
Now several days after the release of the Israelites, Pharaoh (once again referred to as the king) and his servants begin to regret sending them away. This raises a few questions. Were they done mourning their losses? Could they not see that Egypt and its people were near ruin? They apparently could only see the mighty hand of God as a Public Relations nightmare, leaving them to consider who was going to finish all the construction projects now? Their hearts were so self-centered that they could only think about themselves.
14:6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.
Pharaoh prepares his own chariot and his army, he took 600 select chariots and all remaining chariots, each with officers (can be translated captains) and went after the Israelites. Pharaoh must have thought he had the strategic advantage by committing so many resources to the pursuit. Apparently, he still does not know who YHWH is.
14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
God hardens Pharaoh’s heart just as He said He would do, and some raise the question, would he have pursued the Israelites if that did not happen? The answer is unknown. However, it appears that Pharaoh was also seeking revenge for being publicly dishonored, seeing this as a way to defy the God of the Hebrews. Bringing that size of army would not be for bringing back the Israelites, Pharaoh wanted to kill them, exchanging blood for blood.
The word translated here as ‘defiantly’, is actually two Hebrew words, ‘yāḏ’,[2] meaning hand or strength, and ‘rā·mā(h)’,[3] meaning to raise up. Essentially meaning the people of Israel had their hands lifted high. This phrase is widely translated from “fists raised in defiance” (NLT) to “marching out boldly” (NIV). This same word combination is also seen in Numbers 33:3, which describes the same event, the ESV translates that verse: “the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians” (Numbers 33:3b)
Since the Israelites were encamped at Pi-hahiroth, Pharaoh and his army easily caught up with them. Later when God is speaking to the leaders of Israel through Joshua about this incident, He says “Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea.” (Joshua 24:6)
Ancient Egypt was well known for their horses and chariots, especially for military use. The Bible often equates horses and chariots with the strength and might of the world and warns that putting one’s faith in these is no match to God. Including “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!” (Isaiah 31:1) and “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
14:10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.
Even though the Israelites knew they were being pursued, seeing the Egyptian army frightened them. In front of them was a large sea and behind them was a large army of well-trained warriors. Understanding the seemingly hopeless situation they were in; the people of Israel cry out to YHWH.
14:11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Seeing that they are in an apparently hopeless situation, some of the Israelites begin to complain to Moses, taunting him with sarcasm. We begin to see how some people, even after witnessing God’s might, still do not understand God. Skepticism is a human trait, and it can be healthy in small doses, especially to prevent from being taken advantage of. However, skepticism can be a barrier to belief and faith in God. If people only accept what the world promotes as being fact, they may never understand God’s truth.
14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Moses calmly responds to skepticism by informing the people that God has everything in control. He begins by telling them to “fear not,” as being afraid is contrary to having faith in God. Then he asks them to “stand firm,” if one does not fear something they will stay. For the Israelite, they were not to panic. It is interesting to note that the phrase “Stand Firm,” becomes an important element of a Christian’s walk, we see the apostle Paul use the expression several times (see 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 6:13; Philippians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). Next, Moses tells them to watch, “see the salvation of the LORD,” God will do all the work. Notice the parallels to Christianity, as Jesus did all the work for our salvation.
As reassurance, Moses tells them that after today they will never see the Egyptians again. Moses reiterates that God will do all the fighting, all they must do is remain silent.
14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.
Responding to the cries of the people (see verse ten), God tells Moses to tell them to go forward towards the sea. At the water’s edge Moses is to lift his staff over the sea, which will then be divided, allowing the people of Israel to travel through the sea.
14:17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
God tells Moses that when the Egyptian army sees the Israelites fleeing through the division of the water, they will continue their pursuit. They will not try to rationalize what is going on with God parting the water, all they know is that they are close to victory and will attempt to follow.
14:19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
While still at the encampment at Pi-hahiroth, the angel of God that was in front of the Israelites moved to a position behind them so that the pillar of cloud was between the Israelites and the Egyptian army. At night the pillar shined brightly preventing the army from approaching the Israelites.
14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Moses did as he was instructed and stretched out his hand over the sea and YHWH immediately separated the water using a strong east wind. The separation remained all night allowing the Israelites time to cross on dry ground. All the people went into the midst of the sea with waters forming a wall on both sides of them.
14:23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”
Then just as God said would happen (see verses 17-18), the Egyptian army followed the Israelites into the midst of the sea. Then during morning watch, YHWH threw the Egyptian forces into a panic and as a result, they began to drive their chariots and maneuver their horses recklessly. Apparently, the ground was no longer dry, as mud, or something similar, began to adhere to the chariots wheels making them difficult to navigate.
The text does not offer how God confused the Egyptians, Asaph, the Psalmist, offers these words regarding this scenario: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Psalm 77:11-20)
14:26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Once all of the Israelites were safely on the other side, God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea so that the division would cease, causing the water to come around and drown the Egyptian army. Moses did as he was instructed, and the two waters became one sea again. The entire army that pursued the Israelites into the sea was destroyed. The people of Israel walked on dry ground with the waters divided and the Egyptian army encountered mud and rising waters.
14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
YHWH saved the people of Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. The Israelites saw God’s great power, both in bringing them safely across the sea, and also in defeating their enemy. Seeing first-hand the waters separating, the pillars of God moving, the dry ground and the bodies of the dead Egyptians, the Israelites feared YHWH and believed in Him and His servant Moses (at least for the time being).
Considerations
The route the Israelites took out of Egypt has been the subject of debate for hundreds of years. Most Bible maps depict what might be referred to as the classic route, where the Israelites crossed an insignificant section of what is known today as the Gulf of Suez (long before the canal). Then traveled south towards the end of the peninsula to finally arrive at Mount Sinai. While this route raises more questions than it answers, the debate was fueled further by the lack of archaeological evidence. Plus, not knowing the locations of the places mentioned in the Bible made it possible to create a number of potential scenarios.
Recently there have been several discoveries and archaeological evidence found that questions almost everything about the classic route. Current thinking places Pi-hahiroth near Nuweiba Beach on the Gulf Aqaba (which would still be considered part of the Red Sea) or further south near the tip of the peninsula (across the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba). Making Mount Sinai to actually be on the east side of the gulf, just where the apostle Paul wrote where it would be.[4]
The wilderness the Israelites encountered (see verse three) could have been in the heart of what we call the Sinai Peninsula today, perhaps the region around the Wadi Watir, known for its treacherously narrow walls and gorge, which empties into the Gulf of Aqaba near Nuweiba. If the crossing did occur in that region, there appears to be a raised narrow section of land stretching across the gulf under water at that point. God could have easily raised the land at the time of exodus or created it that way. It is interesting to note that many Egyptian chariot wheels have been discovered under water in the same region. There also appears to be an underwater land bridge near the Strait of Tiran, further south where the gulf is narrowest.
How Long Did it Take to Leave Egypt?
It has been estimated that to travel from Goshen to the Red Sea, depending on route, would have required somewhere between 16-20 days based on our current knowledge (remember the Israelites numbered over 600,000 people who were traveling with all of their possessions and livestock animals). However, the text reads differently, the duration recorded appears to be much less. If the departure from Egypt actually began with the slaughter of the Passover lambs at twilight (see Exodus 12:6) and in the following morning they began to leave Egypt spending their first night in Etham (see Exodus 13:20) followed by an evening in front of Pi-hahiroth near the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:2) the next day would be when God divided the waters for the Israelites, adding up to only three days and three nights. This raises several questions. Did God give them supernatural abilities to move fast across the desert? Not likely. Is the text wrong? No. So what are we missing here? We need to see that the text does not implicitly state or imply the number of days between Succoth and Pi-hahiroth, but there does seem to be a gap in the narrative. Why would the text only mention a period of three days and three nights? To answer that we should look in the New Testament for a similar period. There is one period that does match, specifically the period between Jesus’ death and His resurrection (see Matthew 12:40). This description in Exodus can be seen as a model of deliverance with the Israelites being delivered out of Egypt (a Biblical metaphor for the world and sin) which is then pointing its readers to the future event of a much bigger event of deliverance, one for all of mankind through the blood of Jesus.
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[1] Strong’s Hebrew 4024.
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 3027.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 7311.
[4] See Considerations under Genesis 21:18-21.