Exodus 14:10

KJV

¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Pharaoh {H6547} drew nigh {H7126}, the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} lifted up {H5375} their eyes {H5869}, and, behold, the Egyptians {H4714} marched {H5265} after {H310} them; and they were sore {H3966} afraid {H3372}: and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} cried out {H6817} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Isra'el looked up and saw the Egyptians right there, coming after them. In great fear the people of Isra'el cried out to ADONAI

Berean Standard Bible

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 14:10 captures the Israelites' immediate, visceral reaction to extreme peril: trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable Red Sea, they were overwhelmed by fear but instinctively cried out to the LORD, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic divine interventions in biblical history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Pharaoh's change of heart and his decision to pursue the Israelites with his elite chariots and army, as detailed in [Exodus 14:5-9](/exodus/14-5-9 "Pharaoh Pursues Israel with His Army"). The narrative has meticulously built tension, with God intentionally leading Israel to a seemingly inescapable position by the Red Sea, a strategic maneuver described in [Exodus 14:1-4](/exodus/14-1-4 "God Directs Israel's Path to the Red Sea"). Following the dramatic moment of fear and crying out in Exodus 14:10, the Israelites' panic quickly escalates into bitter complaint against Moses, articulated in [Exodus 14:11-12](/exodus/14-11-12 "Israel Complains to Moses at the Red Sea"), which then prompts Moses's profound reassurance and God's powerful command to move forward and witness His salvation in [Exodus 14:13-14](/exodus/14-13-14 "Moses Reassures Israel and God Commands Forward Movement").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds shortly after the climactic [tenth plague](/exodus/12-29-30 "The Tenth Plague and Death of the Firstborn") and the Israelites' hurried departure from Egypt, an epochal event known as the Exodus. Pharaoh, having initially released them under duress, now views their departure as a massive economic and labor loss, prompting his mobilization of a formidable military force, including 600 chosen chariots—the most advanced and devastating military technology of the ancient Near East. The Israelites, a vast multitude of former slaves, were largely unarmed, untrained for battle, and unorganized. Their position, hemmed in by the desert, the impassable sea, and the rapidly approaching chariots, represented a classic "no-win" scenario in ancient warfare, where a trapped, unorganized group would typically face annihilation or re-enslavement. Their "sore afraid" reaction was a natural, culturally understandable response to facing a superior, vengeful military power with no apparent means of escape.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 14:10 is pivotal in developing several key themes within the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's intentional orchestration of events to display His power over all earthly forces, including the mightiest empire. Concurrently, it highlights **Human Helplessness and Dependence**, as the Israelites, despite having witnessed God's mighty plagues, are reduced to utter terror and desperation, underscoring their absolute need for divine intervention. This moment also serves as a critical test of their nascent **Faith**, challenging them to trust in the God who had already delivered them. Ultimately, the verse sets the stage for God's dramatic **Deliverance**, showcasing Him as the faithful covenant God who hears the cries of His people and acts decisively to save them, a theme that resonates throughout the entire narrative of the [Exodus journey](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 14:10 is a concise yet powerful depiction of human vulnerability and divine dependence, capturing a pivotal moment of crisis and response.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **afraid (Hebrew, _yârêʼ_):** (H3372) This primitive root means "to fear," but also carries the moral sense "to revere" and causatively "to frighten." In this context, it describes a profound, visceral terror, a state of being "affrighted" or "dreadful," highlighting the overwhelming panic that gripped the Israelites as they faced imminent destruction.
* **sore (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd_):** (H3966) Derived from a root meaning "vehemence," this adverb functions as an intensifier. When paired with "afraid," it signifies "exceedingly," "greatly," or "very much afraid." It emphasizes the extreme, overwhelming nature of their fear, indicating it was not a mild apprehension but a deep, all-consuming terror.
* **cried out (Hebrew, _tsâʻaq_):** (H6817) This primitive root means "to shriek" or "to call for help." It implies a loud, desperate, and urgent plea, often a primal scream for deliverance in a moment of extreme distress. While it can also mean "to proclaim," here it denotes a desperate appeal for divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
The verse unfolds as a dramatic sequence of events and reactions, revealing the Israelites' predicament and their initial response.

* **"And when Pharaoh drew nigh,"**: This clause establishes the immediate, tangible threat. The sight of Pharaoh's army, a symbol of their recent oppression and a formidable military power, closing in would have been terrifyingly real and imminent, signaling the abrupt end of their brief freedom and the potential return to brutal slavery.
* **"the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them;"**: This describes the moment of horrifying realization. They "lifted up their eyes" – a sudden, fearful glance – and saw the full horror of their situation: the vast, organized military force of Egypt relentlessly pursuing them. The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה - *vehineh*) emphasizes the sudden, shocking impact of this sight, confirming their worst fears of entrapment.
* **"and they were sore afraid:"**: This is the immediate, visceral emotional consequence of their realization. As detailed in the key word analysis, their fear was profound and overwhelming, a natural human response to being trapped in an impossible situation with no apparent escape. It speaks to a deep, collective panic gripping the entire multitude.
* **"and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD."**: Despite their profound terror, this is their critical, and ultimately redemptive, response. It signifies a foundational, if not fully mature, recognition of God's power and their desperate need for His intervention. This initial cry, distinct from their subsequent complaints, is an instinctive, primal appeal to their covenant God, Yahweh (H3068), acknowledging Him as their only hope for deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Dramatic Tension**, creating a palpable sense of entrapment and impending doom. The stark **Contrast** between the overwhelming power of Pharaoh's elite army and the utter helplessness of the unarmed, unorganized Israelites heightens the drama and underscores the impossible odds they faced. The immediate shift from a state of being "sore afraid" to the action of "cried out unto the LORD" functions as a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the human tendency to turn to a higher power when all other options are exhausted. This pivotal moment serves as a **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for God's miraculous display of sovereignty and demonstrating His unique ability to deliver His people from impossible situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 14:10 reveals profound theological truths about God's character, humanity's vulnerability, and the nature of divine salvation. It powerfully illustrates humanity's natural response of fear and despair when confronted with seemingly insurmountable odds, yet even in their panic, their cry to the LORD underscores a foundational, albeit desperate, understanding of God's ultimate authority and covenant faithfulness. This moment is not a failure of God's plan, but an intentional part of it, designed to demonstrate His unparalleled power and sovereignty over all earthly forces, including the mightiest empire. God often allows His people to reach the end of their own strength so that His deliverance can be clearly seen as a divine, not human, accomplishment, thus solidifying His identity as their faithful Deliverer and testing their nascent faith.

**Cross-References:**
* [Psalm 18:6](/psalm/18-6 "God Hears the Cry of the Needy"): "In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears."
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Do Not Fear, For I Am With You"): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Power Perfected in Weakness"): "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 14:10 offers profound and enduring relevance for believers today, serving as a timeless spiritual mirror. Like the Israelites, we frequently encounter "Red Sea moments" – situations where we feel utterly trapped, overwhelmed, and facing seemingly insurmountable odds, whether in our finances, relationships, health, or spiritual battles against temptation and despair. This verse powerfully reminds us that fear, in itself, is a natural and understandable human emotion; the biblical narrative does not condemn the feeling but rather the direction we turn in its grip. The Israelites' initial, raw fear was a genuine reaction to an existential threat. Crucially, however, despite their panic, their immediate instinct was to "cry out unto the LORD." This serves as a powerful model for us: when circumstances are dire and our own resources are exhausted, our first and most vital response should be to turn to God in desperate prayer and supplication, rather than succumbing to despair, complaining, or attempting to solve everything in our own limited strength. The narrative assures us that God often permits us to reach such points of extreme human helplessness precisely so that His mighty deliverance can be undeniably evident, demonstrating that He is capable of acting most powerfully when we are most acutely aware of our need for Him, thus deepening our trust and dependence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Red Sea" situation are you currently facing where you feel trapped or overwhelmed?**
* **When fear strikes, is your immediate instinct to "cry out to the LORD," or do you tend to rely on your own strength or other solutions first?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God more deeply, even when circumstances seem impossible?**

### FAQ
**Why did God lead the Israelites to such a dangerous, seemingly inescapable place?**

Answer: God intentionally led the Israelites to the Red Sea, not to trap them, but to demonstrate His power and glory over Pharaoh and Egypt one final time, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 14:4](/exodus/14-4 "God's Purpose in Leading Israel"). By placing them in an impossible situation, God ensured that His deliverance would be undeniably miraculous, solidifying His reputation among both the Israelites and the Egyptians, and teaching Israel to trust Him alone as their sovereign Deliverer.

**Was the Israelites' fear a sign of weak faith?**

Answer: Their initial fear was a natural human reaction to an overwhelming and life-threatening situation. While their subsequent complaints and expressions of doubt in [Exodus 14:11-12](/exodus/14-11-12 "Israel Complains to Moses") do indicate a wavering faith and a short memory of God's past deliverances, their initial "cry out unto the LORD" in Exodus 14:10 suggests a foundational, albeit desperate, recognition of God's power and their dependence on Him. It highlights that even in moments of profound fear, turning to God is the right response, and He meets us in our weakness, often using such moments to deepen our faith.

**Why did Pharaoh pursue them if he had just let them go after the plagues?**

Answer: Pharaoh's heart was hardened by God, as indicated in [Exodus 14:4](/exodus/14-4 "God's Purpose in Leading Israel"), leading him to regret letting go of such a vast and valuable labor force. His immense pride, the significant economic loss to Egypt, and a deep-seated desire for revenge compelled him to mobilize his army and pursue them. This pursuit was part of God's sovereign plan to bring about His ultimate triumph over Pharaoh and his army, demonstrating His unrivaled power to all nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 14:10 serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ, revealing a pattern of divine rescue that culminates in Him. The Israelites' desperate cry in the face of an insurmountable enemy—Pharaoh and his mighty army—and an impassable barrier, the Red Sea, vividly points to humanity's far greater plight: trapped by the overwhelming power of sin and death, with no way to escape on our own. Jesus Christ emerges as the ultimate Deliverer, coming to rescue us from a bondage infinitely more profound than Egyptian slavery. Where Pharaoh and his forces represent the spiritual enemies of evil, sin, and death that hold humanity captive, Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection, decisively defeated these spiritual principalities and powers, triumphing over them on the cross as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). Just as God miraculously parted the Red Sea to create a way of salvation for His people, Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection opened the way for humanity's salvation from sin's dominion and eternal death, embodying the ultimate "Red Sea" moment where God makes a way where there was no way, leading His people through the waters of judgment to new life in Him, as powerfully illustrated in [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Baptism into Christ's Death and Resurrection"). The Israelites cried out to the LORD, and He heard them; similarly, in the New Covenant, we are called to cry out to Jesus, the Lord, for salvation, knowing that He hears our desperate pleas and offers complete and eternal deliverance from our spiritual enemies, as promised in [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Confession and Belief for Salvation"). Even Jesus Himself faced overwhelming fear and distress in Gethsemane, as recounted in [Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane"), yet He submitted to the Father's will, demonstrating perfect trust; He now invites us, when "sore afraid" by the challenges of life or the fear of death, to cast all our anxieties on Him, for He cares for us and has definitively overcome the world, a truth echoed in [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "Cast All Your Anxiety on Him") and [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "Jesus Overcomes the World"). Thus, Exodus 14:10 not only highlights God's historical faithfulness in a dramatic act of salvation but also powerfully anticipates the final, decisive, and eternal act of liberation accomplished through Jesus Christ, our ultimate Liberator and Deliverer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 107:6

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses.

Nehemiah 9:9

And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

Joshua 24:7

And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

Psalms 34:17

[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Isaiah 51:12

I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;

Isaiah 51:13

And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

Matthew 8:25

And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.