Devine Scripture

Exodus 14:3

What does Exodus 14:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Exodus 14:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Exodus 14:3 means

God reveals His strategic intention behind the Israelites' vulnerable positioning. He anticipates Pharaoh's reaction, knowing that the Egyptian king will conclude that Israel is confused and hemmed in by the wilderness and the sea. This divine foresight indicates that God is orchestrating the entire scenario, not merely reacting to events. He is intentionally creating a situation that will draw Pharaoh into a pursuit, showcasing God's control even over the hardened heart of Egypt's ruler, all for His ultimate purpose.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are wandering without direction, they are shut in by the waste land.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Pharaoh hath said of the sons of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut upon them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Pharao will say of the children of Israel: They are straitened in the land, the desert hath shut them in.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness has hemmed them in.

Context

This verse explains God's reasoning behind the specific encampment instructions in verse 2. It directly prepares the reader for Pharaoh's impending change of heart and pursuit. Without this insight into God's plan, Pharaoh's actions might seem purely spontaneous, but here, we see God is actively influencing events to achieve His redemptive purposes.

v.2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon: over against it shall ye encamp by the sea.

v.3This passage

v.4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they did so.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Samuel 23:23

    See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

  • 1 Samuel 23:7

    And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

  • Psalms 71:11

    Saying, God hath forsaken him: Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.

  • Exodus 7:3

    And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

  • Deuteronomy 31:21

    And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

  • Psalms 139:2

    Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.

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