Exodus 13:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

After Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them to the highway that goes through the land of the P'lishtim, because it was close by -God thought that the people, upon seeing war, might change their minds and return to Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.”

American Standard Version:

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by 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:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh^{H6547} had let the people^{H5971} go^{H7971}, that God^{H430} led^{H5148} them not through the way^{H1870} of the land^{H776} of the Philistines^{H6430}, although^{H3588} that was near^{H7138}; for God^{H430} said^{H559}, Lest peradventure the people^{H5971} repent^{H5162} when they see^{H7200} war^{H4421}, and they return^{H7725} to Egypt^{H4714}:

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Commentary for Exodus 13:17

**Exodus 13:17 Summary:**

**Themes:**
- Divine Guidance: The verse emphasizes that God, not Pharaoh, is in control of the Israelites' journey. God chooses the path for His people, highlighting His sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His guidance.
- Fear and Faith: The Israelites are spared from a potential early confrontation with the Philistines, which could have led to fear and a desire to return to Egypt. This illustrates the theme of faith overcoming fear, as God is concerned about their spiritual readiness for the challenges ahead.
- Testing and Growth: By avoiding the quicker route, God may be testing the Israelites' faith and preparing them for the difficulties they will face in the wilderness, which will ultimately lead to their growth and maturity as a nation.

**Historical Context:**
- The Exodus: This verse is set within the larger narrative of the Exodus, where the Israelites are being led out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. The event is foundational in Jewish history and theology, symbolizing liberation and the establishment of a covenant relationship with God.
- The Philistines: The Philistines were a sea-faring people who had settled on the coastal plain of Canaan. They were known to be a powerful and warlike group, and their presence in the land was a significant obstacle for the Israelites.
- The Wilderness: The alternative route God chose led the Israelites through the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. This was a longer and more arduous journey, but it allowed for the shaping of Israel's identity as a nation under God and prepared them for the eventual conquest of Canaan.

In summary, Exodus 13:17 reflects God's protective guidance and concern for the spiritual well-being of the Israelites as they embark on their journey to the Promised Land, avoiding the more direct route that might have led to their defeat and a return to bondage.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6547
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
   Transliteration: Parʻôh
   Pronunciation: par-o'
   Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5148
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָחָה
   Transliteration: nâchâh
   Pronunciation: naw-khaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists); bestow, bring, govern, guide, lead (forth), put, straiten.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1870
   There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
   Transliteration: derek
   Pronunciation: deh'-rek
   Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
   
7. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6430
   There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פְּלִשְׁתִּי
   Transliteration: Pᵉlishtîy
   Pronunciation: pel-ish-tee'
   Description: patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3588
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּי
   Transliteration: kîy
   Pronunciation: kee
   Description: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed; and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7138
    There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרוֹב
    Transliteration: qârôwb
    Pronunciation: kaw-robe'
    Description: or קָרֹב; from קָרַב; near (in place, kindred or time); allied, approach, at hand, [phrase] any of kin, kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is) next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly).
    
11. Strong's Number: H559
    There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָמַר
    Transliteration: ʼâmar
    Pronunciation: aw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: H5162
    There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָחַם
    Transliteration: nâcham
    Pronunciation: naw-kham'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself); comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self).
    
13. Strong's Number: H7200
    There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָאָה
    Transliteration: râʼâh
    Pronunciation: raw-aw'
    Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
    
14. Strong's Number: H4421
    There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
    Transliteration: milchâmâh
    Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
    Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).
    
15. Strong's Number: H7725
    There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שׁוּב
    Transliteration: shûwb
    Pronunciation: shoob
    Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
    
16. Strong's Number: H4714
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
    Transliteration: Mitsrayim
    Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
    Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.