King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It stationed itself between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Isra'el - there was cloud and darkness here, but light by night there; so that the one did not come near the other all night long.
Berean Standard Bible:
so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other.
American Standard Version:
and it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one came not near the other all the night.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And it came{H935} between the camp{H4264} of the Egyptians{H4714} and the camp{H4264} of Israel{H3478}; and it was a cloud{H6051} and darkness{H2822} to them, but it gave light{H215} by night{H3915} to these: so that the one came not near{H7126} the other{H2088} all the night{H3915}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Corinthians 2:15
- For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2 Corinthians 2:16
- To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?
Isaiah 8:14
- And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Proverbs 4:18
- But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:19
- The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Psalms 18:11
- He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 14:20
**Exodus 14:20 Summary and Historical Context:**
**Themes:**
- Divine Protection: The verse highlights God's protection of the Israelites from the Egyptians, showcasing His commitment to His people.
- The Presence of God: The cloud symbolizes God's guidance and presence with the Israelites, leading them through the wilderness.
- Light in Darkness: The theme of light, representing safety and guidance for the Israelites amidst the darkness of danger and uncertainty, is central.
- Separation: The cloud serves to separate the Israelites from their pursuers, emphasizing God's role in delivering His people from oppression.
**Historical Context:**
Exodus 14:20 is set within the narrative of the Israelites' escape from Egypt, an event known as the Exodus, which is believed to have taken place around the 13th century BCE. This verse specifically describes a moment during the crossing of the Red Sea, where God miraculously parts the waters to allow the Israelites to escape Pharaoh's army.
The cloud, which is part of the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that had been leading the Israelites since their departure from Egypt (Exodus 13:21-22), now serves a dual purpose. It provides light for the Israelites, guiding them through the darkness, while simultaneously casting darkness over the Egyptians, preventing them from reaching the Israelites. This miraculous event underscores the power and providence of God in the history of Israel, reinforcing the theme of divine salvation that is central to the Exodus story.
This verse is part of a larger narrative that has had a profound impact on Jewish identity and faith, as well as on Christian theology, symbolizing spiritual liberation and the power of God over the forces of evil and oppression.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H4264
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
Transliteration: machăneh
Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. - 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. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H6051
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָן
Transliteration: ʻânân
Pronunciation: aw-nawn'
Description: from עָנַן; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud; cloud(-y). - Strong's Number: H2822
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹשֶׁךְ
Transliteration: chôshek
Pronunciation: kho-shek'
Description: from חָשַׁךְ; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness; dark(-ness), night, obscurity. - Strong's Number: H215
There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹר
Transliteration: ʼôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically); [idiom] break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine. - Strong's Number: H3915
There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לַיִל
Transliteration: layil
Pronunciation: lah'-yil
Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season). - Strong's Number: H7126
There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרַב
Transliteration: qârab
Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. - Strong's Number: H2088
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶה
Transliteration: zeh
Pronunciation: zeh
Description: a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that; he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare זֹאת, זֹה, זוֹ, זוּ.