Ex. 14 God commandeth the Israelites to encamp at Pi-hahiroth, Ex. 14:1–2; the reason why, Ex. 14:3–4. Pharaoh and his servants repent for letting the people go, Ex. 14:5; pursue and overtake the Israelites, Ex. 14:8–9. The Israelites are afraid, Ex. 14:10; and murmur against Moses, Ex. 14:11–12.

Or rather, had spoken, to wit, before they came to Succoth, Ex. 12:37. For what was there briefly and generally expressed, is here more largely and particularly declared, together with the occasion of it, which was God’s command.

Pi-hahiroth, Heb. the month of Hiroth, i.e. the entrance or straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched, and were enclosed on both sides. Migdol, a city in Egypt, Jer. 44:1, wherein it is thought there was a garrison.

There are enclosed with mountains, and garrisons, and deserts.

I will be honoured, by the manifestation of my power and justice. I will be honoured, by the manifestation of my power and justice.

That the people fled; did not only depart for three days to sacrifice at Horeb, as Moses pretended, but designed an escape and flight, as appeared by their speedy march, and other circumstances.

Quest. How. could he use or carry his chariots, when all his horses were killed by that plague? Ex. 9:6. Answ. That plague slew only the horses which were in the field, Ex. 9:3, not those kept in houses, as the chariot-horses generally were, and now are. All the chariots, i.e.

Either, 1. Of God, with a Divine hand or power, by comparing Ex. 13:16. Or, 2. Their own, not with hands hanging down, a posture betraying weakness and fainting, fear and shame, Heb.

Which is not strange; these being now a people of low spirits, depressed by long and grievous servitude; being also generally unarmed, wearied with their journey, and their fears aggravated by the presence and outcries of their wives and children.

Stand still; Heb. make yourselves to stand; let not and your hearts fail and sink, or stagger through unbelief, but with quiet minds look up to God. It notes the frame of their minds, not the posture of their bodies.

Ye shall contribute nothing to the victory, neither by your words nor by your deeds; for this Hebrew word signifies a cessation not only from speech, but from action too, as 2 Sam. 19:11, Ps. 83:1, Isa. 42:14–15.

Wherefore criest thou unto me, by fervent, though secret prayer? for which he doth not reprove him, but only bids him turn his prayer into action. Compare Josh. 7:10, Josh. 7:13.

Divide it, i.e. do thou command it in my name to divide itself hither and thither, and I will divide it.

Not changing his place, for he was the omnipresent God, Ex. 14:15; but his operation, from leading the Israelites forward in their way, to the protecting of them from their pursuers.

It was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, to whom it brought their former horrible darkness to mind, and did both exceedingly affright them, and altogether hinder them from motion or action, as that also did for three days. But it gave light by night to the Israelites, as the opposition showeth.

A strong east wind; a proper instrument both to divide that sea, which lay north and south, and to dry and harden the mud at the bottom of the sea, that the Israelites might walk upon it. See Gen. 8:13, Ex. 15:8.

This was about midnight, as may be gathered from Ex. 14:24. The waters were a wall, both for height, and for their defence.

The night was anciently divided, not by hours, as now it is, but by watches, which sometimes were accounted four, and sometimes but three; howsoever the last of them was called the morning watch. Then when they hoped for most advantage in the pursuit, they met with their greatest disaster.

Took off their chariot wheels; either burning them with lightning, or tearing them in pieces with thunder-bolts, or loosening them, and making them to fall off. That they drave them heavily; Heb. and he made him, or them, the singular number for the plural, i.e.

The sea returned to his strength; to its natural and it ordinary course and motion, which is swift and strong, which had been hitherto restrained by a stronger hand, and rendered in a manner impotent and weak.

After them, i.e. after the children of Israel. Note here, the relative is put without an antecedent before it; the antecedent being to be understood and gathered out of the following verse, or out of the course of the story.

Which was done either, 1. By the natural power of the sea, which casteth up its dead bodies after a certain time; till which time God caused the Israelites to abide near the sea, that they might see this for their comfort. Or, 2.