Exodus 14:1 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 14:1 nkjv
Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Exodus 14:1 niv
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Exodus 14:1 esv
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Exodus 14:1 nlt
Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses:
Exodus 14 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 3:4 | When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"... | God directly speaks to Moses, establishing his call. |
| Ex 6:10 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go, tell Pharaoh..." | Example of God initiating communication to Moses. |
| Ex 7:8 | The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "When Pharaoh says to you..." | God instructing Moses and Aaron. |
| Num 1:1 | The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai... | God's frequent communication with Moses in the wilderness. |
| Deut 4:1 | Now, Israel, listen to the decrees and laws I am about to teach you... | Moses relaying God's commands to the people. |
| Isa 46:10 | I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand...' | God's absolute sovereignty and planned outcomes. |
| Ps 33:11 | But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. | God's unchanging and effective counsel. |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. | God's will is ultimate despite human plans. |
| Dan 4:35 | He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand... | God's supreme authority over all creation and rulers. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him... | God's orchestration of events for a higher purpose. |
| Eph 1:11 | In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything... | God's plan directs all things, including human destiny. |
| Ex 4:21 | The LORD said to Moses, "...I will harden Pharaoh’s heart..." | God's active role in hardening Pharaoh's heart. |
| Ex 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply My signs and wonders in Egypt... | God hardening Pharaoh's heart as part of His plan. |
| Rom 9:17-18 | For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose... For God has mercy on whom He wants... | Pharaoh as an instrument of God's sovereign purpose. |
| Ps 106:7-8 | When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to Your miracles... Yet He saved them for His name’s sake... | Remembers God's saving act at the Red Sea for His glory. |
| Isa 51:10-11 | Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea... | Recalls the Red Sea parting as God's mighty act. |
| John 1:17 | For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. | Moses' role as the dispenser of God's revelation. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways... | God speaking through prophets, a continuous revelation. |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | For prophecy never had its origin in human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God... | Scripture's divine origin, like Moses' directives. |
| Ex 3:13-15 | Moses said to God, “If I go to the Israelites... what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”... | Revelation of God's covenant name, Yahweh (LORD). |
| Ps 83:18 | Let them know that You, whose name is the LORD—that You alone are the Most High over all the earth. | Emphasizes the uniqueness and supremacy of the LORD. |
| Judg 6:11-12 | ...The angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak... When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, He said... | Example of divine instruction and intervention. |
Exodus 14 verses
Exodus 14 1 Meaning
Exodus 14:1 marks a crucial juncture in the Israelites' liberation from Egypt, signifying the divine initiation of the next phase of their journey. After their swift departure, the LORD, Yahweh, directly communicates His specific, strategic instructions to Moses. This communication is not merely guidance, but a sovereign command that sets the stage for a climactic demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, designed to further humiliate Pharaoh and the Egyptian deities, and establish His covenant with Israel. It emphasizes God's direct control over their path and purpose.
Exodus 14 1 Context
Exodus 14:1 follows the rapid departure of the Israelites from Egypt after the devastating tenth plague. Chapter 13 describes their journey, protected and guided by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. They have passed Succoth and camped at Etham, "on the edge of the wilderness" (Ex 13:20). They are not yet truly in the deep wilderness but are on its threshold, having escaped slavery. This verse initiates a new, specific directive from the LORD, pivoting from the general "God led them" (Ex 13:17-18, 21-22) to a precise command that would seemingly put them in a vulnerable position. The immediate context anticipates Pharaoh's change of heart and the subsequent pursuit, setting up the divine intervention at the Red Sea, which serves as a grand demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy over Pharaoh, his armies, and the perceived power of Egyptian gods, like those associated with the Nile and the sun. This moment solidifies God's role as a delivering God for His covenant people.
Exodus 14 1 Word analysis
Then / And (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'dabber): The Hebrew waw (ו) prefixed to the verb forms a "waw consecutive" (or "vav conversive"). This linguistic feature does not simply mean "and"; it indicates a sequential action, advancing the narrative and showing that this event happens directly after and as a result of the preceding circumstances. Here, it signals the immediate divine response or continuation of God's leading, initiating a new, crucial phase after the departure. The root dabar (דָּבַר) implies not just speaking but declaring, commanding, and bringing about. It's an authoritative, purposeful utterance.
the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh): This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often transliterated as YHVH. It speaks to God's self-existent nature ("I AM WHO I AM" - Ex 3:14), His faithfulness, and His covenant relationship with Israel. It emphasizes that the one speaking is the God who entered into covenant with Abraham, who delivered Israel from bondage, and who is now actively guiding and redeeming His people. It distinguishes Him from the impotent gods of Egypt, portraying Him as the sovereign deity truly in control.
said (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'dabber): This specific verb choice (Piel stem) suggests a deliberate, emphatic, and direct address, rather than casual conversation. It denotes clear instruction and authoritative declaration, highlighting the gravity and certainty of the divine message that follows. It underscores the purposeful nature of God's communication.
to Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה - el-Mosheh): Moses is God's chosen prophet, mediator, and leader for Israel. This phrase emphasizes Moses' unique and privileged position as the direct recipient of divine revelation on behalf of the entire nation. It highlights his role as the channel through whom God's will and instructions are communicated to the people.
saying (לֵּאמֹר - lemor): This infinitive construct typically follows a verb of speaking and introduces direct speech. It acts as a bridge, signifying that the content of God's command or message will immediately follow. It highlights that the words presented next are the exact, verbatim instructions given by God to Moses, adding to the authority and reliability of the forthcoming message.
Words-group analysis:
- Then the LORD said to Moses, saying: This phrase serves as a foundational divine revelation formula throughout the Pentateuch, appearing countless times. It establishes a consistent pattern of God initiating communication directly with Moses, underscoring Moses' unique prophetic authority and ensuring that all subsequent instructions, laws, and narratives are understood as originating from Yahweh Himself. This formulation removes any ambiguity about the source of the upcoming, potentially unsettling, commands, cementing divine authorship and authority over the unfolding events.
Exodus 14 1 Bonus section
- This opening verse signals that the upcoming Red Sea encounter is not an accident or a panicked improvisation but a deliberate, divinely choreographed event designed by God to achieve specific redemptive and judgmental purposes. It is a calculated act to deepen Pharaoh's rebellion for a grander display of Yahweh's power (as detailed in verses like Ex 9:16 and Rom 9:17).
- The repetitive formula "The LORD said to Moses, saying" reinforces the unique authority and mediatorial role of Moses, contrasting him with pagan diviners or lesser prophets. It grounds the entire Exodus narrative in clear, divine instruction.
- From a theological perspective, this verse demonstrates that God sometimes leads His people into difficult or seemingly impossible situations, not to abandon them, but to powerfully demonstrate His faithfulness, rescue, and supremacy. The path might appear dangerous, but it is purposeful for a greater display of His glory and provision.
Exodus 14 1 Commentary
Exodus 14:1 is brief but foundational, initiating a pivotal episode in the Exodus narrative. It asserts divine agency from the very outset of a seemingly perilous situation. The LORD's direct communication to Moses underscores His immediate involvement and intentional direction of Israel's journey, even as it appears to lead them into a trap. This is not Moses acting independently or Israel merely wandering, but God orchestrating every step according to His sovereign plan. The use of "Yahweh" signifies that the faithful, covenant God of Israel is at work, ready to fulfill His promises and display His glory to the world, ultimately solidifying Israel's identity as His redeemed people. This verse prefaces God's strategic genius in setting the stage for the definitive Red Sea deliverance, a plan already known to Him, though unseen by Moses or the people.