Exodus 14:7

And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

And he took {H3947} six {H8337} hundred {H3967} chosen {H977} chariots {H7393}, and all the chariots {H7393} of Egypt {H4714}, and captains {H7991} over every one of them.

he took 600 first-quality chariots, as well as all the other chariots in Egypt, along with their commanders.

He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.

and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.

Commentary

Exodus 14:7 describes Pharaoh's formidable military response to the Israelites' departure, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic events in biblical history – the parting of the Red Sea.

Context

Following the devastating tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:31). However, as soon as they were gone, his heart was hardened once more, and he regretted his decision. This verse details the immense military force Pharaoh assembled to pursue the fleeing Israelites, who were seemingly trapped between the desert and the Red Sea. It immediately follows Exodus 14:6, which states Pharaoh made ready his chariot and took his people with him, highlighting the rapid and determined mobilization of his army.

Key Themes

  • Pharaoh's Relentless Stubbornness: Despite witnessing the immense power of God through the plagues, Pharaoh's pride and desire to reassert control over his workforce drove him to pursue Israel. This act of defiance underscores the depth of his opposition to the Lord.
  • The Immense Power of Pharaoh's Army: The mention of "six hundred chosen chariots" and "all the chariots of Egypt" signifies a massive, elite, and highly organized fighting force. In ancient warfare, chariots were the tanks of their day, powerful symbols of military might. This detail emphasizes the seemingly insurmountable odds facing the Israelites, magnifying the miracle that was about to occur.
  • Setting the Stage for Divine Intervention: The overwhelming nature of Pharaoh's pursuit was not an oversight by God, but part of His divine plan to demonstrate His supremacy. God intended to gain glory over Pharaoh and all his army, ensuring that both the Egyptians and Israelites would know that He is the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "chosen chariots" translates from the Hebrew word ΧžΦ΄Χ‘Φ°Χ—ΦΈΧ¨ (mivchar), which means "choice," "best," or "select." This indicates that Pharaoh didn't just send any chariots, but his elite, most formidable units, equipped and manned by his most skilled warriors. The addition of "captains over every one of them" (Hebrew: Χ©ΦΈΧΧœΦ΄Χ©Φ΄ΧΧ™Χ - shalishim, often referring to a high-ranking officer or "third man in a chariot") further highlights the professional and organized nature of this vast military operation, emphasizing their readiness for battle.

Practical Application

Exodus 14:7 reminds us that even when facing seemingly overwhelming opposition or impossible circumstances, God is in control. Pharaoh's immense military might, designed to crush Israel, ultimately became the very instrument through which God displayed His power and delivered His people. In our own lives, when we encounter challenges that feel insurmountable, this verse encourages us to remember that no human force or obstacle is too great for God. It invites us to trust in God's ability to deliver, even when all human options appear exhausted, just as He delivered Israel through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 15:4

    Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

  • Judges 4:15

    And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all [his] chariots, and all [his] host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off [his] chariot, and fled away on his feet.

  • Psalms 68:17

    The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place].

  • Psalms 20:7

    Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

  • Isaiah 37:24

    By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.

  • Exodus 14:23

    And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, [even] all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

  • Judges 4:3

    And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
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