Exodus 14:9
What does Exodus 14:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 14:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 14:9 means
The Egyptian army, comprised of all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen, successfully overtook the Israelites. They found Israel encamped by the sea, precisely as God had commanded in verse 2, near Pi-hahiroth and Baal-zephon. This convergence created the seemingly inescapable trap God had designed, with the vast Egyptian military behind them and the Red Sea before them. The speed and completeness of the Egyptian pursuit highlight the immediate danger and the desperate situation facing the Israelites.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi–hahiroth, before Baal–zephon.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the Egyptians went after them, all the horses and carriages of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them in their tents by the sea, by Pihahiroth, before Baal-zephon.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Egyptians pursue after them, and all the chariot horses of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his force, overtake them, encamping by the sea, by Pi-Hahiroth, before Baal-Zephon.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the Egyptians followed the steps of them who were gone before, they found them encamped at the sea side: all Pharao's horse and chariots and the whole army were in Phihahiroth, before Beelsephon.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Egyptians pursued after them, — all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them where they had encamped by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, opposite to Baal-Zephon.
Context
This verse describes the climactic moment of the Egyptians catching up to the Israelites, fulfilling the divine setup. It directly follows the description of Pharaoh's assembled army and sets the immediate scene for the Israelites' fearful reaction described in subsequent verses. This confrontation is the precise moment God has orchestrated to demonstrate His delivering power.
v.8And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.
v.9This passage
v.10And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto Jehovah.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
- Joshua 24:6
And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and with horsemen unto the Red Sea.
- Exodus 14:2
Speak 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.
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