Exodus 14 5

Exodus 14:5 kjv

And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

Exodus 14:5 nkjv

Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, "Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"

Exodus 14:5 niv

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!"

Exodus 14:5 esv

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"

Exodus 14:5 nlt

When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. "What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?" they asked.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 5 Meaning

Pharaoh and his officials were informed that the Israelite people had completely departed from Egypt. This news caused a radical change of heart and purpose within Pharaoh and his servants, leading them to deeply regret their decision to release Israel from their forced labor. Consequently, they voiced their dismay, questioning why they had allowed such a valuable enslaved workforce to leave their service.

Exodus 14 5 Context

Exodus chapter 14 takes place shortly after the monumental tenth plague and the institution of Passover, events that compelled Pharaoh to reluctantly allow the Israelites to depart from Egypt (Exod 12:31-33). Under the guidance of God through a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, Israel embarked on their journey from Ramses to Succoth, then to Etham, and finally, on God's specific instruction, turned to encamp by the Red Sea, near Pi-hahiroth and Migdol (Exod 13:20-22, 14:1-2). This seemingly precarious location, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other, was intentionally chosen by God to appear as though the Israelites were "trapped" and "wandering in the land" (Exod 14:3), thereby enticing Pharaoh to pursue them. Verse 5 is the pivotal moment that explains why Pharaoh, after releasing them, suddenly changes his mind and prepares to chase after them, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation and miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. Historically, the Egyptians viewed foreign laborers, particularly a large contingent like the Israelites, as vital for their immense construction projects and economic output. The abrupt departure of such a massive workforce constituted a severe economic and political blow, stirring immediate regret and a desire to reclaim their lost "property."

Exodus 14 5 Word analysis

• "It was told" (הֻגַּד - huggaḏ): This is a Pual perfect verb form, indicating a passive action: "it was caused to be told" or "it was announced." This emphasizes that the information reached Pharaoh, likely through his spies, scouts, or regional governors. The news was an established fact that reached the highest echelons of power.
• "to the king of Egypt": Refers to Pharaoh, the supreme ruler of Egypt. The message's direct address to him underscores the severity and significance of Israel's departure.
• "that the people had fled": (בָּרַח - baraḥ, meaning "to flee, escape, or bolt away"). This word choice highlights the decisive nature of Israel's departure from Egypt and emphasizes their liberation from servitude. To Pharaoh, it might have seemed like an unauthorized escape of his state property.
• "and the heart of Pharaoh": In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב - lev) is not merely the seat of emotion but primarily the center of intellect, will, reason, and decision-making. Therefore, "the heart of Pharaoh" signifies his core intent, his policy, and his rational decision-making faculty.
• "and his servants": The inclusion of Pharaoh's servants (his officials, advisors, and administration) signifies that this regret was a collective sentiment and a corporate policy shift. It wasn't just Pharaoh's personal pique, but a recognized strategic blunder from the Egyptian government's perspective.
• "was changed": (נֶהְפַּךְ - nekhpak, Niphal perfect of הָפַךְ - hāphakh, meaning "to be turned, to be overturned, to be transformed, to be reversed"). This strong verb indicates a complete and radical reversal of their previous decision to let Israel go. It implies an abrupt shift from forced consent to determined opposition. This change aligns directly with God's stated purpose of hardening Pharaoh's heart (Exod 14:4) to draw him into the Red Sea for a final display of divine power.
• "toward the people": This specifies the target of their changed disposition – the Israelites. Their earlier "release" of the Israelites, though coerced, was now replaced by an antagonistic resolve.
• "and they said": Indicates the vocalization of this collective decision and shared regret, probably in council meetings or direct addresses to Pharaoh.
• "What is this we have done": A rhetorical question expressing extreme dismay, disbelief, and profound regret. It highlights their realization of the monumental economic and labor loss.
• "that we have let Israel go from serving us?": This clause reveals the true nature of their regret. It wasn't moral remorse for the suffering they had inflicted, nor fear of God, but sheer economic and material loss. "Serving us" clearly emphasizes their understanding of Israel as their property, a workforce whose departure created a massive void in their labor economy. This reflects Egypt's utilitarian and exploitative mindset, contrasting sharply with God's desire for Israel to serve Him. This regret, rooted in self-interest, sets the stage for God to judge Egypt for its oppression and greed.

Exodus 14 5 Bonus section

• The regret shown by Pharaoh and his officials is an example of "worldly sorrow" as described in the New Testament (2 Cor 7:10). It is sorrow focused on loss and negative consequences for oneself, rather than sorrow over sin and its offense to God, which leads to true repentance and life. Pharaoh's change of heart led to further hardened rebellion and eventual destruction, not spiritual turning.
• This verse showcases God's remarkable sovereignty. Even the will and strategic decisions of the world's most powerful ruler were orchestrated by God to fulfill His overarching plan of deliverance for Israel and the demonstration of His glory to all nations. This sets a precedent for how God uses the actions of kings and nations for His ultimate purposes throughout biblical history (e.g., Assyria in Isa 10).
• The phrase "the people had fled" to Pharaoh (Exod 14:5) contrasts with Israel's divinely ordered departure, led by the pillar of cloud (Exod 13:21). From Egypt's perspective, Israel had escaped control, but from God's perspective, their movements were meticulously guided to precisely the location where God intended to display His glory.

Exodus 14 5 Commentary

Exodus 14:5 marks a crucial turning point in the Exodus narrative, shifting the focus from Israel's departure to Pharaoh's renewed opposition. Despite suffering devastating plagues that compelled him to release the Israelites, Pharaoh's "heart was changed." This was not a change of repentance or genuine benevolence, but a change rooted in a worldly grief over economic loss. The vast labor force, considered essential to Egyptian prosperity and state projects, was now gone. Pharaoh and his servants' lament—"What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"—lays bare their ultimate motivation: not the well-being of the people or even reverence for the Almighty God, but an insatiable greed for free labor.

This human decision, however, was woven into the fabric of God's divine plan. The change in Pharaoh's heart was precisely what God had declared would happen (Exod 14:4). God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart, though he made his own choices, served the divine purpose of drawing him out into a scenario where God's power could be demonstrated once more, conclusively and for all time. Pharaoh's pursuit was not a misstep for Israel, but a divinely orchestrated trap, designed to bring Yahweh the ultimate glory by completely humbling the most powerful ruler of the known world and annihilating his army. This verse thus prefigures the miraculous Red Sea crossing, an unparalleled display of God's redemptive power and justice over the oppressive kingdoms of this world.