Exodus 14 23

Exodus 14:23 kjv

And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:23 nkjv

And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:23 niv

The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.

Exodus 14:23 esv

The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:23 nlt

Then the Egyptians ? all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers ? chased them into the middle of the sea.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 23 Meaning

Exodus 14:23 describes the unhesitant pursuit of the Israelite camp by the Egyptian army. Despite the miraculous division of the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his elite military forces, including all his chariots, horses, and horsemen, willingly entered the dry seabed, following the Israelites with intent to recapture or destroy them. This action demonstrates Pharaoh's continued hardened heart and his final, fateful commitment to defying the God of Israel.

Exodus 14 23 Context

Exodus 14:23 occurs immediately after the Israelites have miraculously passed through the divided Red Sea on dry ground. Pharaoh, having initially allowed Israel to leave after the devastating tenth plague, quickly repents of his decision. He gathers the entirety of his elite military—600 chosen chariots plus all other chariots of Egypt, accompanied by officers and cavalry—and pursues the seemingly trapped Israelites. This pursuit takes place after the Pillar of Cloud and Fire has positioned itself between the two camps, delaying the Egyptians, and after Moses stretched his hand over the sea, dividing the waters. The verse specifically details the final, fateful decision of the Egyptians to enter the same dry path, fueled by their relentless hatred and the divine hardening of Pharaoh's heart, which was meant to display God's absolute power and glory over Egypt's mightiest forces. This moment sets the stage for God's ultimate victory and the final crushing defeat of the Egyptian oppressors.

Exodus 14 23 Word analysis

• The Egyptians: (מִצְרַיִם - Mitzrayim) Refers to the people and forces of Egypt, representing the dominant superpower of the ancient world. Their identity is tied to their gods and their ruler, Pharaoh, highlighting the spiritual and political clash with Yahweh.
• pursued them: (וַיִּרְדְּפוּ - vayird'fu - from רדף radaph "to chase, pursue, hunt down"). This is not merely following, but actively hunting with hostile intent, aiming to capture, enslave, or destroy. It signifies their aggression and determination to reverse Israel's exodus.
• and all Pharaoh's: (וְכֹל רֶכֶב פַּרְעֹה - v’chol rekhev Par'oh - literally "and all the chariots of Pharaoh" but extending to his full military apparatus). Emphasizes the comprehensiveness and personal ownership of the pursuit by Pharaoh himself. "All" suggests the deployment of every available top-tier military asset.
• horses: (סוּסִים - susim). Crucial for chariot warfare, representing speed and power in ancient armies. They were highly prized military assets, showcasing Egypt's advanced military technology and might.
• and chariots: (וּפָרָשָׁיו - u'farashav - here also refers to the horsemen/cavalry or chariotry generally; more explicitly rekhev from Ex 14:9). The primary instrument of Egyptian military dominance, renowned for their swiftness and impact on the battlefield. The word rekhev can also signify the chariot forces, implying the full range of Pharaoh's mobile army.
• and horsemen: (פָּרָשִׁים - parashim). Though sometimes part of chariot teams, often denotes cavalry or individual riders. The inclusion specifies the full spectrum of their powerful ground forces.
• followed them: (אַחֲרֵיהֶם - akhareihem - literally "after them," signifying close pursuit, implying no hesitation). They kept on the trail of the Israelites, determined to reach them.
• into the sea: (בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם - b'tokh ha'yam - "in the midst of the sea," "into the heart of the sea"). This detail is crucial. It shows that they didn't stop at the shore, but daringly entered the supernaturally divided waters, directly stepping into the trap God had set for them. This wasn't mere pursuit but a full commitment to entering a miraculous and inherently dangerous place.

• The Egyptians pursued them: This phrase highlights the direct aggression and unwavering determination of Egypt to re-enslave Israel. It sets the scene for divine intervention.
• all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen: This phrase emphasizes the full might and prime military power of Egypt being deployed. Pharaoh risked his entire elite force, indicating the high stakes and his obsession with reversing the Exodus. It highlights the vast, humanly insurmountable odds faced by Israel.
• followed them into the sea: This is the climax of the Egyptian folly and God's setup. They consciously, or perhaps blindly, stepped into a pathway created by divine power for Israel's salvation, which for them would become a path to destruction. Their action underscores the extent of Pharaoh's hardened heart and his direct challenge to Yahweh's authority even after multiple miraculous signs. It directly foreshadows their impending doom within those very waters.

Exodus 14 23 Bonus section

The passage profoundly illustrates the concept of divine sovereignty over human will. While Pharaoh and his army acted with their own intent, their actions were simultaneously instrumental in fulfilling God's predetermined plan to magnify His name throughout the earth (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17). Their full commitment to entering the sea underscored the depth of their arrogance and blindness, demonstrating that when God hardens a heart, it leads to increasingly bold defiance, paving the way for a more spectacular display of His power and justice. This final, all-in move by Egypt also polemicized against the Egyptian belief systems, directly confronting their gods associated with water (like Nun) and their deified Pharaoh, proving Yahweh's absolute dominion over both creation and earthly rulers.

Exodus 14 23 Commentary

Exodus 14:23 encapsulates the climactic act of defiance and a divinely orchestrated trap. Pharaoh's relentless pursuit, driven by pride and a heart hardened by God for His glory, led the most powerful military of the age into the very maw of divine judgment. Despite witnessing the sea divide, their conviction to crush Israel superseded any caution. Their entering "into the sea" was a decisive, fateful move, signifying not only their physical presence within the miraculous corridor but also their complete immersion into the unfolding plan of Yahweh. It highlights the foolishness of those who challenge God's power and His protection of His covenant people. This verse is key to understanding the full extent of God's triumph over Pharaoh and serves as a powerful reminder that all opposition to His will ultimately meets its ordained end.