Exodus 14:12
What does Exodus 14:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 14:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 14:12 means
The Israelites' complaints escalated, reminding Moses of their previous desire to remain in Egypt, even as slaves. They explicitly stated their preference for servitude in Egypt over facing death in the wilderness. This astonishing rejection of freedom and preference for slavery, despite the oppression they endured, starkly illustrates their profound fear and lack of trust in God's ability to deliver them from the present danger. It highlights their selective memory, forgetting the harshness of their bondage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Is not this the word that we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Is not this the word that we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Did we not say to you in Egypt, Let us be as we are, working for the Egyptians? for it is better to be the servants of the Egyptians than to come to our death in the waste land.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Is not this the word which we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Cease from us, and we serve the Egyptians; for better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in a wilderness?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Is not this the word that we spoke to thee in Egypt, saying: Depart from us, that we may serve the Egyptians? for it was much better to serve them, than to die in the wilderness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Is not this what we told thee in Egypt, when we said, Let us alone, and we will serve the Egyptians? For [it had been] better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.
Context
This verse continues the Israelites' bitter accusations against Moses, building on their sarcastic question in verse 11 by recalling their earlier reluctance to leave Egypt. It further emphasizes their despair and unfaithfulness, providing the immediate context for Moses' powerful and reassuring response in verses 13 and 14, where he calls them to trust in God's salvation.
v.11And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to bring us forth out of Egypt?
v.12This passage
v.13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jonah 4:3
Therefore now, O Jehovah, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
- Mark 5:17
And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders.
- Exodus 5:21
and they said unto them, Jehovah look upon you, and judge: because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
- Jonah 4:8
And it came to pass, when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
- Exodus 3:9
And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: moreover I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
- Hosea 4:17
Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.
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