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Exodus 14:20

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And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

And it came {H935} between the camp {H4264} of the Egyptians {H4714} and the camp {H4264} of Israel {H3478}; and it was a cloud {H6051} and darkness {H2822} to them, but it gave light {H215} by night {H3915} to these: so that the one came not near {H7126} the other {H2088} all the night {H3915}.

It stationed itself between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Isra'el - there was cloud and darkness here, but light by night there; so that the one did not come near the other all night long.

so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other.

and it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one came not near the other all the night.

Commentary

Exodus 14:20 vividly illustrates God's active and miraculous intervention on behalf of the Israelites as they faced the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea. This verse highlights the strategic positioning of the divine pillar of cloud and fire, which served as both a barrier and a beacon in a moment of extreme peril.

Context

Following the Plagues of Egypt, Pharaoh had finally allowed Israel to leave. However, his heart hardened again, and he mobilized his chariots and army to pursue the Israelites, trapping them against the Red Sea. God was leading Israel through the wilderness by a visible manifestation of His presence: a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In this critical moment, as the Egyptian forces closed in, this divine pillar moved from its position in front of Israel to behind them, placing itself directly between the two camps.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Separation: The most immediate message of Exodus 14:20 is God's unwavering commitment to protect His people. By placing the pillar between the armies, God literally shielded Israel from immediate attack, creating an impassable barrier. This act separated His chosen people from their enemies, both physically and spiritually.
  • God's Discriminating Presence: The same divine presence had profoundly different effects on the two parties. To the Egyptians, it became a cloud of darkness, obscuring their vision and hindering their advance. To the Israelites, it provided light, allowing them to see and prepare for the miraculous crossing. This illustrates God's justice and His distinct relationship with those who obey Him versus those who oppose Him.
  • Strategic Divine Delay: The darkness imposed on the Egyptians prevented them from engaging Israel throughout the night. This critical delay provided the necessary time for Moses to stretch out his hand and for the Red Sea to part, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. It emphasizes God's perfect timing in delivering His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text emphasizes the stark contrast: `עָנָן` (anan), "cloud," and `חֹשֶׁךְ` (choshek), "darkness," for the Egyptians, versus `אוֹר` ('or), "light," for the Israelites. This powerful imagery of light and darkness underscores the supernatural nature of the event and God's control over creation to serve His purposes. The phrase "it came between" (`וַיָּבֹא בֵּין`) indicates a deliberate and active movement by God's presence to intervene in the conflict.

Practical Application

Exodus 14:20 serves as a timeless reminder of God's active involvement in the lives of His people. Just as He protected Israel, He continues to stand as a shield for believers today, often placing Himself between us and the spiritual or physical dangers we face. This verse teaches us to trust in God's presence, even when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He can turn our darkest hours into opportunities for His light to shine, guiding us through impossible situations. For those who follow Him, God's presence brings clarity and salvation; for those who oppose Him, it can become an impenetrable barrier to their schemes, much like Jesus, the Light of the World, brings illumination to believers while exposing the darkness of unbelief.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 2 Corinthians 2:15 (4 votes)

    For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

  • 2 Corinthians 2:16 (4 votes)

    To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?

  • Isaiah 8:14 (4 votes)

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

  • Proverbs 4:18 (3 votes)

    But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Proverbs 4:19 (3 votes)

    The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

  • Psalms 18:11 (2 votes)

    He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.