Exodus 14 3

Exodus 14:3 kjv

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

Exodus 14:3 nkjv

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.'

Exodus 14:3 niv

Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.'

Exodus 14:3 esv

For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'

Exodus 14:3 nlt

Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!'

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 3 Meaning

Exodus 14:3 describes the specific thought process God knows Pharaoh will have upon seeing the Israelites' peculiar travel route. Pharaoh will conclude that the Israelites are disoriented and trapped by the surrounding geography—the 'land' referring to the seemingly impassable terrain bordering the wilderness, which appears to have 'shut them in,' preventing any escape. This verse reveals God's divine foresight and strategic orchestration of events, as Pharaoh's flawed interpretation is precisely what God intends to bait him into pursuing Israel.

Exodus 14 3 Context

Exodus chapter 14 begins after the tenth plague, with Pharaoh finally releasing the Israelites. However, God directs Moses not to lead the people by the direct coastal road to Canaan (the "way of the land of the Philistines") because it might provoke war and cause the people to fear and return to Egypt (Exo 13:17). Instead, God instructs them to turn towards the wilderness by the Red Sea, specifically camping "before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon" (Exo 14:2). This strategic move, which appears illogical from a human perspective—leading a massive, vulnerable group into a dead end against a body of water—is God's deliberate trap. Pharaoh, recovering from the shock of the plagues and realizing the immense loss of his labor force, sees this seemingly foolish positioning as an opportune moment. Verse 3 outlines the very reasoning God foresees Pharaoh will adopt, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation and divine display of power at the Red Sea.

Exodus 14 3 Word analysis

• For Pharaoh: Refers to the reigning monarch of Egypt, a figure embodying pagan power and opposition to God. God reveals His foreknowledge of Pharaoh's exact thought process, indicating divine orchestration.

• will say: A future prophetic statement. God's declaration highlights His absolute control over the situation and even the thoughts of His adversaries. It's not a guess, but a predetermined outcome in God's plan.

• of the people: Refers to the children of Israel, who were now appearing disoriented in their movements.

• ‘They are bewildered’: Hebrew: נְבֻכִים (nᵊvuḵîm). This verb (from בוך - buk) implies confusion, being perplexed, entangled, or wandering aimlessly. Pharaoh's conclusion is that Israel is lost and does not know where they are going, indicating weakness and vulnerability. It suggests they are in a state of chaos.

• by the land: Hebrew: הָאָרֶץ (hā'āreṣ). This refers to the specific geography and terrain around them. Pharaoh assumes the natural topography—mountains, desert, and sea—has disoriented and constrained their movements, creating a natural barrier that has them at a disadvantage.

• the wilderness: Hebrew: מִדְבָּר (miḏbār). A desolate, untamed, and unpopulated area, often lacking clear paths. It represents isolation and difficulty of travel, seemingly offering no escape.

• has shut them in: Hebrew: סָגַר עֲלֵיהֶם (sāḡar ʿălêhem), literally "closed upon them." This phrase indicates a complete enclosure, a trapping or boxing in with no apparent exit. Pharaoh perceives the natural barriers (wilderness on one side, sea on the other) as an inescapable snare.

• "For Pharaoh will say... 'They are bewildered by the land;'": This phrase reveals God's strategic foresight and pre-emptive insight into His enemy's mind. God isn't reacting to Pharaoh's thoughts; He's creating the situation that will generate those very thoughts, ensuring Pharaoh's self-defeating conclusion. It underlines God's mastery over all circumstances, even the misinterpretations of human leaders.

• "the wilderness has shut them in.’": This grouping emphasizes the perceived hopelessness of Israel's position from Pharaoh's perspective. It highlights a geographical dead end—sea in front, mountains/wilderness on the sides, and now the Egyptians approaching from behind. What appears as a trap laid by nature (or foolish leadership) is actually a trap laid by God for Pharaoh himself.

Exodus 14 3 Bonus section

The Hebrew term "bewildered" (נְבֻכִים - nᵊvuḵîm) can also carry the connotation of being confused to the point of being unable to find a way out, highlighting a deep sense of disorientation. This divinely induced perception by Pharaoh is an example of what scholars term "divine deception" in some biblical contexts, not implying a moral falsehood from God but rather a strategic concealment or misleading action designed to accomplish His greater purposes and display His power over evil. God did not lie, but He set a trap, making it seem like Israel had no plan or protection. This showcases that God's methods for demonstrating His glory are not limited to straightforward displays but can involve intricate strategies that exploit the arrogance and misjudgment of those who oppose Him, ensuring that His power is magnified through seemingly impossible circumstances. It's a testament to God's profound wisdom in turning enemy perception against themselves.

Exodus 14 3 Commentary

Exodus 14:3 serves as a pivotal verse, revealing the divine strategy behind Israel's seemingly precarious journey to the Red Sea. God actively orchestrates a scenario where Israel appears vulnerable and trapped, intentionally misleading Pharaoh into a false sense of security and a hasty pursuit. Pharaoh's reasoning—that the Israelites are "bewildered" and "shut in by the wilderness"—is precisely the miscalculation God desired him to make. This verse underscores God's sovereignty, demonstrating that He not only knows the hearts and minds of His adversaries but actively uses their flawed logic and pride for His redemptive purposes and to manifest His glory. The apparent vulnerability of His people is the very stage upon which His immense power to deliver is spectacularly revealed, turning what seems like an inescapable trap into a path of liberation and judgment against His enemies. This principle is often echoed in Scripture where God allows His people to face seemingly insurmountable odds to demonstrate His miraculous intervention and confirm His covenant faithfulness. For instance, believers might feel "shut in" by circumstances like financial destitution or chronic illness, but these situations are opportunities for God to show His delivering power, strengthening faith and glorifying His name.