Exodus 13:17

Translations

Modern

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

Traditional

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Literal

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh sent out the people, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near. For God said, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.”

Latin

Igitur cum emisisset Pharao populum, non eos duxit Deus per viam terræ Philisthiim quæ vicina est: reputans ne forte pœniteret eum, si vidisset adversum se bella consurgere, et reverteretur in Ægyptum.

Original

Hebrew

English

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

Notes

Exodus 13:17–18

If the people face war: The Israelites had not yet seen God fight on their behalf. Even though they left Egypt like an army ready for battle (13:18; see also 12:51), it was only an appearance. Until they experienced the Lord as fighting for them (14:14) in the crossing of the sea, they were not ready to face enemies in the promised land.

Exodus 13:17–14:4

The Lord’s redemptive power was demonstrated as he brought Israel into a place where they were completely helpless and had to either rely on him for rescue or die.

At the time, it might have seemed foolish. But Israel would thank God throughout its history for guiding them to that situation (see Psalm 106:7–12; compare Isaiah 12:2–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh God’s Love for Israel The Cross and Passover

Events

Exodus from Egyptc. 1491 BC

Related verses

Exodus 14:11–12
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
Numbers 14:1–4
Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.
Luke 14:27–32
And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Deuteronomy 20:8
Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.”
1 Kings 8:47
…and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’
Exodus 16:2–3
And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
Acts 15:38
But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
Deuteronomy 17:16
But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
Judges 7:3
Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained.

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Deuteronomy, Book of Exodus, the Philistia, Philistines

Topics

God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, Journey of Israel Through The Desert by a Circuitous Route Philistines: Territory of

Exodus 13:17

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