Exodus 14:7 kjv
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
Exodus 14:7 nkjv
Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.
Exodus 14:7 niv
He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.
Exodus 14:7 esv
and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.
Exodus 14:7 nlt
He took with him 600 of Egypt's best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander.
Exodus 14 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 4:21 | "...I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." | Pharaoh's hardened heart, divine purpose |
| Exo 7:3 | "...I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs..." | God's sovereign hardening for His glory |
| Exo 9:16 | "But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show my power in you..." | Pharaoh's role in displaying God's power |
| Exo 14:4 | "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host..." | God's glory through Pharaoh's defeat |
| Exo 14:8 | "...Pharaoh hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt..." | Pharaoh's continued defiance |
| Exo 14:14 | "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." | God's active deliverance |
| Exo 14:23 | "The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots..." | Pharaoh's forces entering the sea |
| Exo 14:28 | "The water returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all Pharaoh's host..." | Total destruction of Egyptian army |
| Exo 15:1 | "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." | Israel's song of triumph, specific mention |
| Exo 15:4 | "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea..." | Direct reference to chariots' demise |
| Deu 1:30 | "The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you..." | God's faithfulness in fighting for His people |
| Deu 3:22 | "You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you." | Reassurance against enemies |
| Jos 23:10 | "...for it is the LORD your God who fights for you." | God empowering His people |
| Psa 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." | Contrast: human might vs. divine trust |
| Psa 33:16-17 | "The king is not saved by his great army... The war horse is a false hope for salvation..." | Futility of military strength |
| Psa 76:6 | "At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned." | God's power over mighty warriors |
| Psa 77:16 | "When the waters saw you, O God... the deep trembled." | God's dominion over nature and enemies |
| Psa 106:11 | "The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left." | Total judgment on pursuers |
| Pro 21:31 | "The war horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD." | God as the ultimate Victor |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help... and trust in chariots..." | Warning against reliance on human strength |
| Isa 43:16-17 | "...who makes a way in the sea... who brings forth chariot and horse..." | God's power as Creator and Deliverer |
| Hab 3:8 | "...Was your wrath against the rivers... that you rode on your steeds, on your chariots of salvation?" | God's powerful intervention against chaos |
| Zec 9:10 | "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem..." | Prophecy of future peace, end of war |
| Rom 9:17 | "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up...' " | God's sovereign plan through Pharaoh's hardening |
| Heb 11:29 | "By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned." | Faith and divine judgment |
Exodus 14 verses
Exodus 14 7 Meaning
Exodus 14:7 describes the meticulous and total mobilization of Pharaoh's formidable military force to pursue the Israelites after their exodus. This verse emphasizes the strategic resolve of Pharaoh, gathering not only his elite units—the six hundred chosen chariots—but also the entirety of Egypt's chariot corps, all under the command of skilled officers. This comprehensive and overwhelming display of human might sets the stage for the unparalleled demonstration of God's supreme power.
Exodus 14 7 Context
Exodus 14:7 is pivotal in the Red Sea narrative, immediately following the Israelites' departure from Succoth under God's pillar of cloud and fire (Exo 13). Pharaoh, having reluctantly released them after the devastating plagues, experiences a hardened heart, prompting him to reverse his decision and pursue his former slaves. This verse details the overwhelming military response of Pharaoh, who, in his defiance, mobilizes the best and entirety of his chariots, signifying a vengeful and determined chase. The setting is critical: Israel is trapped between the desert and the sea, seemingly vulnerable, highlighting the dramatic circumstances that would magnify God's miraculous deliverance and His glory over the might of Egypt. This action is the final desperate act of a human ruler directly challenging the divine will, setting the stage for the climactic display of God's power and judgment upon Egypt's gods and their military supremacy.
Exodus 14 7 Word analysis
- And he took: (וַיִּקַּח - vayyiqach) From the root laqach, meaning to take, seize, obtain. This emphasizes Pharaoh's active, decisive, and perhaps forceful gathering of his military assets. It signifies his full intent and personal commitment to the pursuit.
- six hundred: (שֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת - shesh me'ot) A specific and substantial number, suggesting precision in the military register and indicating a significant portion of his elite force. The number highlights the massive scale of the deployment.
- chosen chariots: (רֶכֶב בָּחוּר - rekhev bachur) "Chosen" (bachur) means selected, preferred, elite. These were not just any chariots but the finest, most advanced, and probably most battle-ready in Pharaoh's arsenal, implying superior build, speed, and possibly weaponry and crew training. This denotes the very best of Egyptian military technology and skill.
- and all the chariots of Egypt: (וְכֹל רֶכֶב מִצְרָיִם - v'khol rekhev Mitsrayim) "All" (kōl) signifies completeness and totality. This indicates a mobilization beyond just the elite, encompassing the entire remaining chariot corps. It points to a national emergency level deployment, reflecting Pharaoh's immense power and his desperate intent to reclaim the Israelites, displaying absolute control over his empire's resources.
- and captains over every one of them: (וְשָׁלִשִׁים עַל־כֻּלֹּו - v'shalishim al-kulo) "Captains" (shalishim) likely refers to a "third man" (a driver, warrior, and a shield-bearer) or possibly chief officers, chariot fighters, or even commanders of specific chariot divisions. The term "over every one of them" indicates that each chariot unit, or small group of chariots, was specifically commanded, highlighting a highly organized, disciplined, and purposeful military operation, not a chaotic mob.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt": This phrase dramatically portrays the comprehensive nature of Pharaoh's military response. The mention of "six hundred chosen chariots" (the elite, handpicked units) followed immediately by "and all the chariots of Egypt" (the rest of the entire fighting force) underlines the sheer overwhelming power Pharaoh brings. It showcases his determination and commitment to reclaiming what he perceived as lost property, undercutting his earlier agreement to release Israel. This total mobilization elevates the impending divine confrontation.
- "and captains over every one of them": This detail further emphasizes the highly structured and professional nature of Pharaoh's army. It was not a hasty, disorganized pursuit but a planned and commanded operation. This precision makes God's ensuing destruction even more impressive, demonstrating His power not over a disheveled rabble but over the mightiest and most organized army of the ancient world.
Exodus 14 7 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on Pharaoh's "chosen" and "all" chariots, commanded by "captains," serves as a direct challenge to the ancient world's concept of military supremacy and state power. In an era where chariots represented ultimate military technology and pharaohs were considered divine, the narrative deliberately inflates the opponent's strength to showcase the transcendence of YHWH. This sets a precedent for understanding that no human might, political power, or technological advancement can withstand God's will when He chooses to act for His people and His glory. This theme echoes throughout the Bible, reinforcing the truth that trusting in human power (like "chariots and horses") is ultimately futile compared to trusting in the Lord (Psa 20:7).
Exodus 14 7 Commentary
Exodus 14:7 meticulously describes Pharaoh's formidable military might and determined pursuit, serving a critical theological purpose: to magnify the ensuing divine deliverance. By detailing the "six hundred chosen chariots," "all the chariots of Egypt," and "captains over every one of them," the text establishes the absolute peak of ancient warfare and the comprehensive resources of the most powerful kingdom of that era. Pharaoh's decision is not an irrational outburst but a calculated and fully-resourced campaign to reassert his authority and recover his labor force, a final defiant act after numerous humiliating plagues.
This verse builds the suspense and frames the stage for a dramatic contest not between Israel and Egypt, but between YHWH and the supposed might of Pharaoh and the Egyptian deities. The overwhelming numerical superiority and military sophistication of the Egyptian army contrast sharply with the unarmed and inexperienced Israelites, trapped against the sea. This deliberate contrast sets up the narrative to unmistakably show that Israel's salvation came solely from God's miraculous intervention, not from any human strength or strategy. Pharaoh’s pride and defiance, epitomized by this military mobilization, lead directly to his humiliation and the destruction of his army, culminating in the glory of YHWH being manifest to both Israel and Egypt.