Exodus 14:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 14:7 vividly portrays Pharaoh's formidable and comprehensive military mobilization, as he personally led an elite force of "six hundred chosen chariots" alongside "all the chariots of Egypt," each commanded by experienced officers. This overwhelming display of human power was meticulously orchestrated to relentlessly pursue the recently freed Israelites, setting the stage for God's dramatic and glorious intervention at the Red Sea, where His sovereignty would be undeniably revealed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative, immediately following [Pharaoh's decision to pursue Israel](/exodus/14-5-6 "Pharaoh's Change of Heart and Pursuit"). Having initially allowed the Israelites to depart after the devastating [tenth plague](/exodus/12-29-30 "The Tenth Plague and the Death of the Firstborn"), Pharaoh's heart is once again hardened, prompting him to regret his decision and launch this massive military operation. The meticulous detail of the chariot force in [Exodus 14:7](/exodus/14-7 "Pharaoh's Chariot Force") intensifies the impending confrontation, leading directly into the description of the Israelites' vulnerable position, "encamped by the sea" ([Exodus 14:9](/exodus/14-9 "Israel Trapped at the Red Sea")), and their subsequent fear and cries to the Lord ([Exodus 14:10](/exodus/14-10 "Israel's Fear and Complaint")). This detailed account of Pharaoh's pursuit magnifies the miraculous nature of the deliverance that follows, ensuring that God alone receives the glory for Israel's salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, chariots represented the apex of military technology and strategic power, serving as the primary shock troops of armies, much like modern armored divisions. Egypt, a dominant regional power, was particularly renowned for its highly organized and effective chariot corps. The specification of "six hundred chosen chariots" denotes an elite, hand-picked strike force, comprising the finest chariots, horses, and charioteers. The phrase "all the chariots of Egypt" further underscores the unprecedented scale of this mobilization, indicating Pharaoh's full commitment of his nation's most potent military assets. This pursuit was not merely about recovering lost slave labor; it was a desperate attempt to restore national honor, reassert Pharaoh's absolute authority, and reclaim economic stability, all of which had been publicly challenged and humiliated by the God of Israel through the preceding plagues.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the recurring theme of **divine sovereignty versus human defiance**, as Pharaoh's hardened heart and formidable military might are ultimately shown to be subservient to God's overarching plan to demonstrate His power and glory ([Exodus 14:4](/exodus/14-4 "God's Purpose in Hardening Pharaoh's Heart")). The sheer scale of Pharaoh's pursuit also sets the stage for the theme of **miraculous divine deliverance**, ensuring that Israel's salvation at the Red Sea will be undeniably a work of God, leaving no room for human boasting. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to liberate His people from bondage and lead them to the promised land, despite overwhelming opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chosen (Hebrew, _bâchar'_):** From H977, a primitive root meaning "to try, i.e. (by implication) select." This term emphasizes that Pharaoh did not merely gather any available chariots but specifically deployed his most elite, formidable, and well-trained units. This highlights the quality and lethality of the force, indicating a deliberate and strategic selection of the best military assets to ensure the capture or destruction of the Israelites.
* **chariots (Hebrew, _rekeb'_):** From H7393, meaning "a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry." In the ancient world, chariots were the epitome of military power, combining speed, maneuverability, and destructive force. The repeated mention of "chariots" in this verse underscores their central role as the instrument of Pharaoh's might and the primary threat to the fleeing Israelites, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the pursuit.
* **captains (Hebrew, _shâlîysh'_):** From H7991, often referring to a high-ranking officer, literally "a triple" or "third man" (perhaps referring to the third man on a chariot, or a high-ranking officer). Their presence "over every one of them" signifies the meticulous organization, professional command, and battle-readiness of this vast military operation. It indicates that this was a disciplined and well-led army, not a chaotic mob, further emphasizing the formidable challenge Israel faced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took six hundred chosen chariots,"**: This opening clause specifies the core elite force personally selected and mobilized by Pharaoh. The number "six hundred" represents a massive and devastating military unit in ancient warfare, indicating a highly specialized and powerful contingent designed for rapid pursuit and overwhelming assault. The term "chosen" further highlights the superior quality and readiness of these units.
* **"and all the chariots of Egypt,"**: This phrase expands on the previous clause, emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of Pharaoh's commitment. While perhaps not literally every single chariot in the entire land, it signifies the deployment of the full, available might of his chariot corps. This conveys the overwhelming scale of the threat, demonstrating Pharaoh's desperate determination to retrieve the Israelites and reassert his authority.
* **"and captains over every one of them."**: This final clause underscores the professional and organized nature of the pursuing force. The presence of "captains" (high-ranking officers) overseeing each unit or chariot ensures coordination, discipline, and effective execution of the pursuit. It paints a picture of a well-commanded army, adding to the sense of an inescapable trap for the Israelites.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the magnitude of Pharaoh's pursuit. The use of "six hundred chosen chariots" followed by "and all the chariots of Egypt" functions as a form of **hyperbole** or **intensification**, emphasizing the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of Pharaoh's military response. This exaggeration serves to highlight the seemingly insurmountable odds facing the Israelites, thereby magnifying the divine deliverance that is about to unfold and underscoring the miraculous nature of God's intervention. The repeated mention of "chariots" (Hebrew: _rekeb_) also serves as **repetition**, underscoring their significance as the primary instrument of Pharaoh's power and the immediate, terrifying threat to Israel. This detailed description of the enemy's strength also acts as **foreshadowing**, building tension and setting the stage for a dramatic display of God's power that will utterly defeat this formidable force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the clash between human might and divine sovereignty. Pharaoh's immense military display, intended to reassert his power and crush Israel, is paradoxically the very instrument God uses to demonstrate His own supremacy and gain [glory over Pharaoh and his army](/exodus/14-4 "God's Purpose in Hardening Pharaoh's Heart"). It highlights that no human force, however formidable, can thwart the divine will. Pharaoh's persistent defiance, even after ten devastating plagues, underscores the depth of human pride and resistance to God's authority, yet it ultimately serves God's larger purpose. The very scale of Pharaoh's pursuit ensures that Israel's deliverance will be undeniably miraculous, leaving no doubt that it was the Lord's doing. This theme of trusting in God's power over human might resonates throughout the biblical narrative, reminding believers that our confidence should be in the Lord, not in worldly strength.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Trust in God, not chariots") declares, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Woe to those who trust in horses") warns against relying on human strength, specifically horses and chariots, instead of seeking help from the Holy One of Israel.
* [Deuteronomy 20:1](/deuteronomy/20-1 "Do not fear chariots") instructs Israel not to fear larger armies with horses and chariots, "for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a timeless reminder that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable opposition, God remains in sovereign control. Pharaoh's overwhelming military might, designed to crush Israel, ultimately became the very means through which God displayed His power and delivered His people. In our own lives, we often encounter "chariots"—overwhelming challenges, powerful adversaries, or seemingly impossible circumstances. These can manifest as financial ruin, chronic illness, relational breakdown, spiritual oppression, or professional setbacks. 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](/exodus/14-21 "The Red Sea Parting"). Our confidence should not be in our own resources or strategies, but in the omnipotence and faithfulness of God, who specializes in making a way where there seems to be no way.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "chariots" (overwhelming challenges or human strengths) are you tempted to trust in today, instead of God?**
* **How does the sheer scale of Pharaoh's army in this verse encourage your faith when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your own life?**
* **In what area of your life do you need to surrender control and trust God for a miraculous deliverance, even when the odds seem stacked against you?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh pursue them if God had already shown such power through the plagues?**

Answer: Pharaoh's pursuit was a complex mix of his own hardened heart, pride, and economic desperation. While God had indeed demonstrated immense power, Pharaoh's will was also actively resistant. The Bible states that God hardened Pharaoh's heart ([Exodus 9:12](/exodus/9-12 "Pharaoh's Hardened Heart")), but this does not negate Pharaoh's own stubbornness and desire to reassert his authority and recover the vast workforce he had lost. His pursuit was driven by a desperate attempt to regain control and prestige, ultimately serving God's larger purpose to display His glory even more dramatically through the Red Sea miracle, ensuring that Israel and the nations would know that He is the Lord ([Exodus 14:18](/exodus/14-18 "God's Glory Over Pharaoh")).

**Does "all the chariots of Egypt" mean literally every single chariot in the entire nation?**

Answer: While "all" (Hebrew: _kol_) can sometimes be literal, in biblical Hebrew, it often functions as an intensifier or hyperbole to convey totality or comprehensiveness. In this context, it indicates that Pharaoh mobilized the full available might of his chariot force, leaving nothing back, rather than implying every single chariot in the entire nation was present. The emphasis is on the overwhelming and comprehensive nature of the pursuit, signifying Pharaoh's complete commitment of his most powerful military assets. This expression effectively communicates the immense and seemingly insurmountable threat faced by the Israelites, making God's subsequent deliverance all the more astounding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
This verse sets the stage for one of the Bible's most iconic acts of physical deliverance, which profoundly foreshadows the ultimate spiritual deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Pharaoh's formidable army, representing the overwhelming power of human opposition and the forces of bondage, points to the far greater spiritual enemies humanity faces: sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. Just as God triumphed over Pharaoh's seemingly invincible chariots at the Red Sea, Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, triumphed over the "principalities and powers" that held humanity captive, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The Red Sea deliverance, where God's people passed through water to freedom, is seen in the New Testament as a type of baptism, symbolizing new life and liberation from bondage ([1 Corinthians 10:1-2](/1_corinthians/10-1-2 "Israel's Baptism in the Cloud and Sea")). This prefigures the spiritual "crossing over" from death to life that occurs in Christ, where believers are delivered from the tyranny of sin and brought into God's glorious kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Delivered from Darkness to Light")). Pharaoh's pursuit, meant to re-enslave, ultimately led to his destruction and Israel's freedom, mirroring how the forces of evil, in seeking to destroy Christ on the cross, ultimately brought about humanity's salvation and their own decisive defeat, securing eternal freedom for all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Victory Over Death")).

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

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.