Keraia
Exodus 13

Exodus 13:18

The Pillars of Cloud and Fire · Exodus 13:17–22
Read Exodus 13

Translations

Modern
So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.
Traditional
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Literal
And God turned the people by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea And the sons of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt in battle array.
Latin
Sed circumduxit per viam deserti, quæ est juxta mare Rubrum: et armati ascenderunt filii Israël de terra Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew
English
So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

Notes

Exodus 13:18

  • around by the way: There is disagreement among scholars about the identification of some of the sites mentioned (13:20; 14:2). So, there is little agreement on the exact route the Israelites took.

  • Red Sea (literally sea of reeds): The actual Red Sea is too far south. The Sea of Reeds was part of the Red Sea, probably located at the northern end of the Gulf of Suez.

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).

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Red Sea: Sea crossed by Israelites in the Exodus

Glossary

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

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks Deserts of the Red Sea God: Delivering the Israelites God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, Israel: Led by God Journey of Israel Through The Desert by a Circuitous Route Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Conducted with Regularity Red Sea: The Wilderness of The Sea: Seas Mentioned in Scripture: Red Sea