Devine Scripture

Exodus 14:19

What does Exodus 14:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 14:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Exodus 14:19 means

The divine presence, manifested as the angel of God and the pillar of cloud, strategically shifted its position from leading the Israelites to standing behind them. This repositioning served as a protective barrier, moving between the Israelite camp and the pursuing Egyptian army. This action demonstrates God's immediate and active protection of His people, illustrating His personal involvement in their safety. The pillar, previously a guide, now becomes a shield, signifying God's role as both deliverer and defender.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then the angel of God, who had been before the tents of Israel, took his place at their back; and the pillar of cloud, moving from before them, came to rest at their back:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the messenger of God, who is going before the camp of Israel, journeyeth and goeth at their rear; and the pillar of the cloud journeyeth from their front, and standeth at their rear,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removing, went behind them: and together with him the pillar of the cloud, leaving the forepart,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the Angel ofGod, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them, and stood behind them.

Context

This verse describes a crucial protective act by God, intervening immediately as the Egyptians approached. It comes directly after God's detailed instructions to Moses and His declared purpose for the Egyptians' destruction. This divine maneuver creates the necessary delay and separation between the two camps, allowing for the miracle of the Red Sea to unfold unhindered and safely for Israel.

v.18And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

v.19This passage

v.20and it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one came not near the other all the night.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 20:16

    and when we cried unto Jehovah, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border.

  • Exodus 32:34

    And now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine angel shall go before thee; nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.

  • Isaiah 63:9

    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

  • Exodus 14:24

    And it came to pass in the morning watch, that Jehovah looked forth upon the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians.

  • Exodus 13:21

    And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go by day and by night:

  • Exodus 23:20

    Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

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