Exodus 14 25

Exodus 14:25 kjv

And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

Exodus 14:25 nkjv

And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."

Exodus 14:25 niv

He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

Exodus 14:25 esv

clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."

Exodus 14:25 nlt

He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. "Let's get out of here ? away from these Israelites!" the Egyptians shouted. "The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!"

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 25 Meaning

Exodus 14:25 describes the Lord's active intervention against the pursuing Egyptian army. During the morning watch, before dawn, God observed the Egyptian camp through the pillar of cloud and fire and caused a powerful, supernatural confusion and disarray among them. This divine act incapacitated their military pursuit, likely leading to the difficulty they experienced in driving their chariots.

Exodus 14 25 Context

Exodus chapter 14 describes the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites and the subsequent destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army. This verse is situated in the critical moment just before the sea returns to engulf Pharaoh's forces. Pharaoh, after reluctantly letting the Israelites go, pursued them with his elite chariots. The Lord had led Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Before the event of this verse, the pillar moved from leading Israel to positioning itself between the two camps, providing darkness for the Egyptians while lighting the way for Israel (Ex 14:19-20). Moses then stretched out his hand, dividing the sea. Verse 25 explains God's direct intervention in confusing and impeding the Egyptian army, which had followed the Israelites into the dry seabed, thus setting the stage for their imminent demise. Historically, this event signifies the decisive act of salvation for Israel and definitive judgment upon Egypt, showcasing God's unparalleled power over all natural forces and human might. It is a fundamental declaration of YHWH's absolute sovereignty against any rival deity or human king.

Exodus 14 25 Word analysis

• and it came to pass (וַיְהִ֥י - va'y'hi): A common narrative marker, indicating the occurrence of an event, often significant in God's plan.

• in the morning watch (בְּאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת הַבֹּ֗קֶר - b'ashmoret haboqer): Refers to the final watch of the night, spanning approximately from 2 AM to 6 AM, just before dawn. This timing emphasizes God's precise and decisive intervention at a critical, early-morning moment, preventing further Egyptian advances.

• the LORD (יְהוָ֑ה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, powerful, and committed involvement as the God of Israel. It highlights His unique identity as the active deliverer.

• looked (וַיַּשְׁקֵ֤ף - vayashqef): From the Hebrew root שׁקף (shaqaf), meaning "to lean over," "look down upon," "peer through," or "inspect." This is not a passive glance but an intense, purposeful, and authoritative gaze from above, indicating scrutiny that precedes judgment and action. It implies God surveying the situation to enact His will.

• unto the host of the Egyptians (אֶל־מַחֲנֵ֤ה מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ - el-machaneh Mitsrayim): Refers to the formidable military camp or array of the Egyptians, specifically their pursuing chariotry and forces.

• through the pillar of fire and of the cloud (בְּעַמּוּד֙ אֵ֣שׁ וְעָנָ֔ן - b'ammud esh v'anan): This visible manifestation of God's presence, which had guided Israel and previously separated the two camps, now served as the medium through which God executed judgment. It changed from a guiding light and protective barrier into an instrument of divine discomfiture.

• and troubled (וַיָּ֕הָם - vayyahom): From the Hebrew root המם (hamam), meaning "to throw into confusion," "to rout," "to discomfit," or "to panic." This word signifies a supernatural act by God that caused utter chaos, psychological terror, and physical impedance among the Egyptians, often resulting in their inability to fight or advance effectively. This divine "troubling" explicitly involved making their chariot wheels stick (as elaborated in Ex 14:24), crippling their primary offensive weapon.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "the LORD looked unto... through the pillar... and troubled": This sequence of actions emphasizes God's direct, purposeful, and effective intervention. The pillar, previously a guide and shield, becomes a channel for divine judgment. God's gaze is not just observation but an active scrutiny leading directly to disruptive action.
  • "looked... and troubled": These verbs underscore God's power over human might. His "looking" is followed immediately by the active, powerful "troubling," signifying an irresistible divine force operating on the enemy.
  • "morning watch... troubled": The timing is critical. God acts when the pursuing army is pressing hardest, but also when His people are most vulnerable, demonstrating that salvation comes solely through divine intervention and not human effort or strategy. The confusion ensures Israel's path is not hindered, confirming God's protection.

Exodus 14 25 Bonus section

The act of God "troubling" or "confusing" the enemy is a recurring theme in the Bible, demonstrating that victory ultimately rests with Him, not with superior military strength or strategy (e.g., God discomfiting the Philistines in 1 Sam 7, or confounding Sisera's chariots in Judg 4). This event at the Red Sea established a pattern of divine warfare, where God Himself fights for His people. The "troubling" of the Egyptian host through the pillar of fire and cloud implies a multifaceted attack—physical impediment (clogging wheels, per Ex 14:24), psychological terror, and a visible manifestation of divine wrath. The presence of God, manifested in the pillar, shifts from a beacon of guidance to an instrument of judgment, emphasizing His dual nature as both deliverer and judge. This is a crucial moment for Israel's faith development, reinforcing that their salvation is solely by divine power and not their own strength, courage, or wisdom.

Exodus 14 25 Commentary

Exodus 14:25 vividly portrays God's decisive and personal involvement in delivering Israel from Egyptian tyranny. It moves beyond simply dividing the waters to describe a direct assault on the Egyptians' morale and military functionality before the waters returned. The pillar of cloud and fire, formerly a comforting presence for Israel and a dividing barrier, becomes a conduit for divine terror and confusion upon Pharaoh's elite forces. This "troubling" was a supernatural disarray, causing the chariots—the pinnacle of ancient military technology—to become stuck, likely by the divine manipulation of the seabed or by creating a paralyzing fear and disorientation. This act was designed to disable the enemy and demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over military strength, technological advantage, and natural elements. It reveals God as the active Warrior on behalf of His people, fulfilling His promise to fight for them. The precise timing during the "morning watch" underscores God's perfect plan and intervention at the precise moment to secure Israel's salvation and showcase His unmatched power to both His people and His adversaries. This divine action directly humiliated Egypt's military might and exposed the powerlessness of their gods against the God of Israel.