Exodus 14:5
What does Exodus 14:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 14:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 14:5 means
The news of Israel's departure reached Pharaoh, swiftly altering his and his servants' attitudes. Their initial relief at Israel's exit turned into regret as they realized the economic and labor loss. This change of heart, previously foretold by God, demonstrates how quickly human perception can shift, especially when self-interest is involved. They lamented their decision to release their valuable workforce, setting the stage for their ill-fated pursuit. This reflects the deep-seated resistance to God's will despite overwhelming evidence of His power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And word came to Pharaoh of the flight of the people: and the feeling of Pharaoh and of his servants about the people was changed, and they said, Why have we let Israel go, so that they will do no more work for us?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it is declared to the king of Egypt that the people hath fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants is turned against the people, and they say, `What <FI>is<Fi> this we have done? that we have sent Israel away from our service.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it was told the king of the Egyptians that the people was fled: and the heart of Pharao and of his servants was changed with regard to the people, and they said: What meant we to do, that we let Israel go from serving us?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his bondmen was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from our service?
Context
This verse marks the shift in Pharaoh's thinking, directly fulfilling God's prophecy in verses 3 and 4 that Pharaoh would perceive Israel as trapped and then pursue them. It explains the motivation behind the Egyptian pursuit that will characterize the next several verses, revealing their short-sighted regret and hardened hearts after enduring the plagues and letting Israel go.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 105:25
He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.
- Jeremiah 34:10
And all the princes and all the people obeyed, that had entered into the covenant, that every one should let his man-servant, and every one his maid-servant, go free, that none should make bondmen of them any more; they obeyed, and let them go:
- 2 Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
- Exodus 12:33
And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, to send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We are all dead men.
- Luke 11:24
The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.
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