Exodus 14:11

And they said unto Moses, Because [there were] no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

And they said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Because there were no graves {H6913} in Egypt {H4714}, hast thou taken us away {H3947} to die {H4191} in the wilderness {H4057}? wherefore {H2063} hast thou dealt {H6213} thus with us, to carry us forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714}?

and said to Moshe, "Was it because there weren't enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt?

They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to bring us forth out of Egypt?

Commentary

Exodus 14:11 captures a pivotal moment of fear and doubt immediately following the miraculous exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. As Pharaoh's formidable army pressed in from behind and the impassable Red Sea lay before them, the newly freed people turned on Moses with bitter accusation.

Context

This verse plunges us into the immediate aftermath of God's mighty deliverance through the Ten Plagues. The Israelites, having just witnessed divine power that humbled the greatest empire of their time, now find themselves in a seemingly impossible situation. Trapped between the pursuing Egyptian chariots and the vast body of water, their initial joy quickly turns to panic. This complaint marks the first significant instance of the Israelites' wavering faith and tendency to grumble when faced with adversity, a pattern that would recur throughout their wilderness journey. It sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention at the Red Sea, demonstrating His power to save even in the most desperate circumstances.

Key Themes

  • Panic and Despair: The Israelites' sarcastic question, "Because [there were] no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?" vividly expresses their profound fear and sense of impending doom. They believed death was certain, and their sarcastic tone conveyed their deep regret for having left Egypt.
  • Lack of Faith and Short Memory: Despite witnessing the recent plagues and God's powerful hand in their deliverance, the people quickly forgot His faithfulness when faced with a new, immediate threat. Their focus shifted from God's past miracles to their present predicament, leading to a complete loss of trust. This complaint foreshadows similar instances of grumbling for food and water, such as their lament in Exodus 16:3.
  • Blame and Accusation: Instead of crying out to God, the people immediately blamed Moses, holding him responsible for their perceived fate. This highlights the immense pressure on leadership and the human tendency to shift responsibility during times of crisis.
  • The Wilderness as a Test: This verse introduces the wilderness not just as a geographical location, but as a crucible where the faith and obedience of the Israelites would be repeatedly tested. Their immediate reaction reveals their spiritual immaturity and reliance on visible circumstances rather than divine promises.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Because [there were] no graves in Egypt" is a powerful expression of their sarcastic despair. It's a rhetorical question, implying that Egypt was full of graves, and thus, if they were meant to die, they could have done so comfortably there rather than being brought to a desolate wilderness. This bitter irony underscores their belief that Moses' leadership had led them to a meaningless death, effectively dismissing all the signs and wonders they had just experienced.

Practical Application

Exodus 14:11 serves as a stark reminder of how easily fear can erode faith, even after experiencing great deliverance. In our own lives, when we face overwhelming challenges or find ourselves "between a rock and a hard place," it's easy to succumb to panic, forget God's past faithfulness, and blame those who have led us. This verse encourages us to:

  • Remember God's Past Deliverance: When current circumstances seem dire, recall how God has intervened in the past.
  • Trust in His Sovereignty: Recognize that God is in control even when the path ahead seems impossible. Moses' response in Exodus 14:13 encourages them to "stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD."
  • Resist Blame: Instead of accusing others or God, turn to prayer and seek divine wisdom.
  • Endure Trials: Understand that difficulties can be opportunities for God to display His power in new and unexpected ways.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 106:7

    Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked [him] at the sea, [even] at the Red sea.

  • Psalms 106:8

    Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

  • Numbers 14:1

    ¶ And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

  • Numbers 14:4

    And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

  • Exodus 15:23

    And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

  • Exodus 15:24

    And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

  • Exodus 16:2

    And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
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