Exodus 14:5

KJV

And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} the king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} that the people {H5971} fled {H1272}: and the heart {H3824} of Pharaoh {H6547} and of his servants {H5650} was turned {H2015} against the people {H5971}, and they said {H559}, Why have we done {H6213} this, that we have let Israel {H3478} go {H7971} from serving {H5647} us?

Complete Jewish Bible

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people. They said, "What have we done, letting Isra'el stop being our slaves?"

Berean Standard Bible

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”

American Standard Version

And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 14:5 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey from Egypt, revealing Pharaoh's immediate and economically driven change of heart. Upon receiving intelligence that the people had not merely departed for a temporary religious festival but had definitively "fled," Pharaoh and his advisors were consumed by regret over releasing their massive, unpaid workforce. This sudden reversal of disposition set the stage for their ill-fated pursuit of Israel and the climactic, divinely orchestrated confrontation at the Red Sea.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the critical turning point following the Israelites' hasty but triumphant departure from Egypt, detailed in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus") and [Exodus 13](/exodus/13 "Consecration of the Firstborn and Pillar of Cloud"). Their initial exodus was a direct result of the devastating [tenth plague](/exodus/12-29 "The Death of the Firstborn"), which finally compelled Pharaoh to let them go ([Exodus 12:31](/exodus/12-31 "Pharaoh urges Israel to leave")). However, God had already foretold this change of heart, explicitly instructing Moses in [Exodus 14:1-4](/exodus/14-1-4 "God's plan for Pharaoh at the Red Sea") that Pharaoh would pursue them, thereby providing an opportunity for God to display His glory. Thus, verse 5 acts as the immediate human trigger for Pharaoh's decision to pursue, seamlessly leading into the detailed description of his military preparations in [Exodus 14:6-9](/exodus/14-6-9 "Pharaoh's pursuit of Israel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was revered as a divine king, whose decree was absolute law and whose authority was unquestionable. The Israelite slaves represented an immense, invaluable labor force, indispensable for the construction of Egypt's monumental infrastructure projects, such as the store cities of Pithom and Raamses ([Exodus 1:11](/exodus/1-11 "Israel's bondage in Egypt")). The permanent loss of such a vast, unpaid workforce would have constituted an economic catastrophe for the empire. Pharaoh's initial "permission" for Israel to leave was likely a desperate, temporary concession to appease their God and halt the plagues, not a genuine emancipation. The news that they had "fled"—implying a permanent, defiant break—would have ignited not only profound economic panic among his advisors but also an unbearable sense of insult and a direct challenge to his absolute sovereignty and divine status. This context vividly illustrates the clash between Pharaoh's self-serving interests and God's sovereign, redemptive will, a central theme throughout the Exodus narrative.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 14:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the **stubbornness and futility of human rebellion against divine will**, as Pharaoh, despite overwhelming evidence of God's power, quickly reverts to his oppressive nature. This verse also underscores **God's absolute sovereignty and providential control**, demonstrating how even the actions of His adversaries are orchestrated to fulfill His purposes and reveal His glory ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God raised Pharaoh up to show His power")). Furthermore, it emphasizes the **cost of true freedom** and the **clash between divine justice and human self-interest**, as Pharaoh's regret is purely economic, contrasting sharply with God's unwavering commitment to the liberation of His covenant people, Israel, whom He brought out of the "house of bondage" ([Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "The First Commandment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_ - H1272):** This verb signifies a sudden, decisive, and permanent departure, implying escape or flight rather than a temporary leave. When Pharaoh was told the people had "fled," it conveyed the finality of Israel's break from Egyptian control, triggering his realization that they were not returning. This word choice underscores the perceived defiance and the irreversible nature of Israel's exodus, which fueled Pharaoh's wrath and desire for retribution.
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_ - H2015):** This powerful verb denotes a complete reversal or overturning, a dramatic shift in direction or disposition. Here, it describes the profound change in Pharaoh's and his servants' "heart" (lêbâb), transforming their grudging permission into determined hostility. While often used to describe God's transformative or judgmental actions (e.g., overturning cities), its application here to Pharaoh's heart highlights a dramatic and self-serving shift in his will, perfectly aligning with God's stated purpose to harden him.
* **serving (Hebrew, _ʻâbad'_ - H5647):** This root carries the meaning "to work, serve, or enslave." The phrase "from serving us" reveals the core motivation behind Pharaoh's and his servants' change of heart. Their lament is not one of moral regret or fear of divine judgment, but a pragmatic concern over the immense economic loss of a vast, unpaid labor force. It lays bare their callous, utilitarian view of the Israelites as mere property, essential to their empire's prosperity, rather than as a people with inherent dignity or a divine destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled":** This initial clause establishes the critical intelligence received by Pharaoh. The news of Israel's definitive departure, framed as "fleeing," confirms their complete and permanent break from Egyptian dominion, immediately triggering a profound reaction in the royal court.
* **"and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people,"**: This clause describes the dramatic psychological and volitional shift within the Egyptian leadership. The "heart" (lêbâb) in Hebrew thought encompasses the totality of one's inner being—intellect, will, and emotion. Their collective disposition, once reluctantly compliant, now pivoted to vengeful opposition, driven by a deep sense of loss and insult.
* **"and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"**: This rhetorical question articulates the precise motivation for their reversal. It is a lament born of economic self-interest and a desire to reassert control. They regret their decision not out of any moral or spiritual conviction, but purely because of the immense material and labor loss incurred by releasing their valuable human assets, underscoring their callous disregard for the Israelites' freedom and God's command.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs significant **dramatic irony**, as Pharaoh and his servants, in their shortsighted pursuit of economic gain and reassertion of power, believe they are making a strategic decision. In reality, they are unwittingly walking directly into the trap God had meticulously set for them, fulfilling His prophetic word to Moses. Their regret and subsequent pursuit are precisely the means by which God will display His ultimate power at the Red Sea. The **rhetorical question** ("Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?") powerfully conveys their immediate, self-serving regret and highlights the economic rather than spiritual nature of their "repentance," thereby setting the stage for their vengeful and ultimately self-destructive pursuit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 14:5 vividly illustrates several profound theological truths. Firstly, it exposes the **stubbornness and depravity of the unregenerate human heart** in its rebellion against God, even after witnessing overwhelming divine power. Despite enduring ten devastating plagues, Pharaoh's "repentance" was superficial, a coerced response to pain rather than genuine conviction. Secondly, the verse powerfully underscores **God's absolute sovereignty over human will and historical events**. Pharaoh's change of heart and subsequent pursuit, though seemingly an act of human defiance, was precisely what God had foretold and orchestrated to further His redemptive purposes and magnify His glory. Thirdly, it highlights the stark **clash between divine justice and human self-interest**. Pharaoh's lament is purely economic, revealing his callous disregard for the Israelites' freedom and God's explicit command. This stands in stark contrast to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His righteous judgment against oppression. This theme of God's sovereign control over the hearts of rulers is a recurring motif throughout Scripture.

* [Exodus 14:4](/exodus/14-4 "God's purpose for Pharaoh at the Red Sea")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord")
* [Romans 9:17-18](/romans/9-17 "God raises up Pharaoh for His glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 14:5 offers enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder that true repentance involves a fundamental change of heart and mind, a turning *to* God, rather than merely a temporary cessation of sin driven by external pressure or negative consequences. Pharaoh's swift reversal, motivated purely by economic loss, stands as a stark warning against making decisions based solely on self-interest or convenience, rather than on the revealed will and principles of God. Furthermore, this passage profoundly illustrates God's magnificent ability to orchestrate even the opposition and resistance of His enemies for His greater redemptive purposes. When we encounter setbacks, face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or experience the determined opposition of others in our lives or ministries, this verse encourages us to place our unwavering trust in God's sovereign plan. He can transform the "turning" of our adversaries into divine opportunities for His glory and our ultimate deliverance. For the Israelites, Pharaoh's terrifying pursuit paradoxically paved the way for the miraculous Red Sea deliverance, a foundational event that cemented their faith and God's eternal reputation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to make decisions based primarily on self-interest or convenience, rather than on God's commands and principles?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over even the resistance and opposition of others encourage and strengthen your faith when facing difficult circumstances?**
* **What does Pharaoh's quick reversal teach us about the crucial difference between temporary compliance under duress and genuine, heart-level repentance before God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh change his mind so quickly after the devastating plagues?**

Answer: Pharaoh's initial decision to let Israel go was not a genuine change of heart or an act of repentance, but rather a coerced response to the immense suffering and national devastation brought by the plagues, particularly the [death of the firstborn](/exodus/12-29-30 "The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn"). Once the immediate, overwhelming threat had passed and the Israelites had truly "fled" (indicating a permanent, defiant departure), his deep-seated pride, economic pragmatism, and stubborn resistance to God's will resurfaced. The immense economic loss of hundreds of thousands of slaves, coupled with the perceived insult to his absolute authority, quickly outweighed the terrifying memory of the plagues, leading him to regret his decision and seek to reclaim his "property."

**Does this verse imply Pharaoh had free will, or was his heart hardened by God?**

Answer: The Exodus narrative consistently presents a profound and complex interplay between Pharaoh's free will and God's sovereign action. In many instances, Pharaoh is explicitly described as hardening his *own* heart, making a conscious and defiant choice to resist God's commands ([Exodus 8:15](/exodus/8-15 "Pharaoh hardens his heart")). However, God also repeatedly declares that He *will* harden Pharaoh's heart ([Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God hardens Pharaoh's heart")) in order to demonstrate His power and glory to both Egypt and Israel. This verse (Exodus 14:5) describes Pharaoh's *own* internal reversal and regret, which is entirely consistent with his character and the choices he made throughout the narrative. Yet, this very act of "turning" his heart is precisely what God had foretold and orchestrated, leading Pharaoh and his army directly to their ultimate judgment at the Red Sea. Thus, Pharaoh acts freely, but his actions perfectly align with God's overarching divine plan to bring about His purposes and display His might.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 14:5, depicting Pharaoh's final, desperate attempt to reclaim Israel, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Pharaoh's persistent rebellion and his ultimate, decisive defeat at the Red Sea serve as a powerful Old Testament type of the **defeat of sin, death, and Satan** through Christ. Just as Pharaoh, the embodiment of oppressive, tyrannical power, was decisively overthrown by God's mighty hand, so too has Christ, through His sacrificial life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, decisively triumphed over all the forces of spiritual bondage that enslave humanity. The Israelites' miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery through God's mighty hand prefigures the **spiritual liberation** offered to all who believe in Jesus. We, like ancient Israel, are born into slavery—not to an earthly Pharaoh, but to the dominion of sin and its eternal consequences. Christ's work on the cross is our ultimate "exodus," freeing us from the kingdom of darkness and transferring us into the glorious kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Delivered from darkness into light")). Pharaoh's relentless pursuit of Israel, which ultimately led to his destruction, foreshadows the spiritual battle that Christ has already won, securing our freedom and ensuring that no enemy, no matter how powerful, can ultimately snatch us from His gracious hand ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "No one can snatch them from my hand")). The "turning of the heart" in Pharaoh that leads to his judgment stands in stark contrast to the **true repentance (a turning of the heart)** that Jesus calls for, which leads to the forgiveness of sins, spiritual refreshing, and new life in Him ([Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Repent and be converted")).

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 105:25

¶ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

Jeremiah 34:10

Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let [them] go.

Jeremiah 34:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Exodus 12:33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We [be] all dead [men].

Luke 11:24

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

Luke 11:26

Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.

2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.