Exodus 14 2

Exodus 14:2 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

Exodus 14:2 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea.

Exodus 14:2 niv

"Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.

Exodus 14:2 esv

"Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.

Exodus 14:2 nlt

"Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 2 Meaning

Exodus 14:2 delivers God's specific instruction to Moses regarding the precise travel route and encampment location for the Israelites after their initial departure from Egypt. This divine directive to "turn back" and position themselves in a seemingly vulnerable spot near the sea was a deliberate strategic command designed by God to lure Pharaoh into a final confrontation, ultimately for God's glory and to demonstrate His absolute power over Egypt and its deities.

Exodus 14 2 Context

Exodus 14:2 follows directly after the initial joyous departure of the Israelites from Egypt, guided by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (Ex 13:21-22). The previous verses establish that God chose not to lead them by the direct route through the land of the Philistines, fearing the people might change their minds and return to Egypt if faced with war. Instead, He led them "by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea." Verse 2 is God's highly specific directive to Moses, ordering an unexpected change in their apparent direction and an encampment in a location that, to any human observer, would seem like a tactical blunder – hemmed in by the desert, a fortress, and the sea. This instruction is not merely geographical but forms an integral part of God's overarching plan to demonstrate His sovereignty over Pharaoh and his gods, securing Israel's freedom with undeniable power and establishing His reputation among all nations.

Exodus 14 2 Word analysis

• Tell (דַּבֵּר - dabbēr): A strong imperative, conveying a direct command from God. It emphasizes divine authority and intention. Not an option, but a non-negotiable directive to Moses.
• Israelites (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - bənê yiśrāʾēl): "Sons of Israel," refers to the entire collective nation. The command is for the whole people, not just their leaders. It highlights the corporate nature of their journey and salvation.
• to turn back (יָשֻׁבוּ - yāšūḇū): This is a Hiphil imperfect verb, indicating "to cause to return" or "to make them turn." It's not Israel's independent decision, but God instructing them to reorient themselves. It implies a strategic U-turn, contrary to natural forward momentum, appearing as though they are disoriented.
• and encamp (וְיַחֲנוּ - wəyaḥănū): This term suggests a formal, structured camping. It's a deliberate setting down of camp, implying a period of staying in this vulnerable location. It reinforces the idea of intentional positioning.
• in front of (לִפְנֵי - lifnê): Literally "to the face of," denoting a direct confrontation or precise spatial relationship. It marks the position clearly visible from a landmark.
• Pi Hahiroth (פִּי הַחִירֹת - Pî haḤîrōṯ): A geographical location, possibly meaning "mouth of the gorges" or "place of the canals." Its exact identification is debated but functions here as a clear point of reference for God's directed movement.
• between (בֵּין - bêyn): A simple preposition indicating an intermediate position. Strategically important for defining the constricted space.
• Migdol (מִגְדֹּל - Miḡdōl): Meaning "tower" or "fortress," likely a prominent Egyptian military outpost. This would reinforce the appearance of Israel being trapped and expose them to Egyptian forces.
• the sea (הַיָּם - hayyām): Specifically refers to the Yam Suph, or "Sea of Reeds," which scholars identify as either an arm of the Red Sea or one of the Bitter Lakes in the region. This water body would serve as a natural barrier.
• in front of (לִפְנֵי - lifnê): Repeats the specific spatial orientation.
• Baal Zephon (בַּעַל צְפוֹן - Baʿal Ṣəphōn): "Lord of the North." This is highly significant. It was likely a sacred site dedicated to an Egyptianized Canaanite deity (Baal), perhaps revered for maritime protection or control over winds/storms. Facing the Israelites towards a cult site of a foreign deity sets up a dramatic theological confrontation: Yahweh's power over the natural elements versus the impotency of other gods.
• you are to encamp opposite that place (נֶגְדּוֹ - negdōw): Reinforces the command for precise positioning directly across from the specified landmark, further solidifying the perceived "trap."
• by the sea (עַל הַיָּם - ʿal hayyām): Emphasizes the close proximity to the water barrier, contributing to the impression of being cornered.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Tell the Israelites to turn back": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and counter-intuitive nature of the command. God actively directs a seemingly disadvantageous move. It highlights Israel's complete dependence on God's guidance, even when it appears illogical.
• "and encamp in front of Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal Zephon": This provides an extraordinarily precise geographic instruction. The specificity eliminates ambiguity, ensuring the Israelites are positioned exactly where God intends them to be for the upcoming miraculous display. The combination of landmarks – a likely bottleneck, an Egyptian fortress, the sea, and a pagan cultic site – sets up a dramatic scene of entrapment for human eyes but of deliberate staging for divine victory.

Exodus 14 2 Bonus section

The seemingly irrational command to turn back and encamp in a bottleneck highlights God's ways as distinct from human ways (Isa 55:8-9). It forces Israel (and subsequently the reader) to rely entirely on God's direction, even when it seems to lead to peril. This prefigures the concept that God often leads His people into situations where their only hope is a divine intervention, thereby glorifying His name alone. This was not a moment of Israeli leadership failure, but God's direct guidance that led them to the "trap" which was a setup for a spectacular display of salvation and judgment.

Exodus 14 2 Commentary

Exodus 14:2 unveils a crucial element of God's redemptive plan: divine strategy that defies human logic. Far from being random, God's instruction to Moses to "turn back" and encamp in a seemingly dead-end location was a calculated maneuver. This command immediately dispels any notion that Israel's escape was a chaotic flight or a series of lucky accidents. Instead, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty, foreknowledge, and deliberate action.

The chosen location – hemmed in by the wilderness, a possible Egyptian fortification (Migdol), and the Sea of Reeds – creates an illusion of utter helplessness for the Israelites. Pharaoh, receiving reports of this seemingly misguided itinerary, would conclude that Israel was "wandering around confused in the land, with the wilderness closing in on them" (Ex 14:3). This strategic deception was divinely orchestrated to provoke Pharaoh into pursuit, leading to his definitive overthrow and a decisive demonstration of God's power.

Furthermore, the mention of "Baal Zephon" holds profound theological significance. In placing His people directly facing a site dedicated to a pagan deity, often associated with maritime power or meteorological control, Yahweh was setting the stage for a cosmic clash. When Yahweh subsequently parted the waters, dried the seabed, and brought the waters back to consume Pharaoh's army, He utterly debunked the supremacy of any other gods. It was a direct polemic, showcasing His singular dominion over creation and His triumph over all perceived rivals, thus magnifying His name throughout history and nations (Ex 14:4, 18). This verse, therefore, is not just about geography but about the strategic setup for a magnificent display of divine glory and uncontested power.