Exodus 13:17
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּשַׁלַּ֣ח
go
H7971
בְּשַׁלַּ֣ח
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
פַּרְעֹה֮
And it came to pass when Pharaoh
H6547
פַּרְעֹה֮
And it came to pass when Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
3 of 24
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֛ם
Lest peradventure the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
Lest peradventure the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָחָ֣ם
led
H5148
נָחָ֣ם
led
Strong's:
H5148
Word #:
7 of 24
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
for God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
them not through the way
H1870
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
them not through the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
9 of 24
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
11 of 24
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
כִּ֣י׀
although
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
although
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כִּ֣י׀
although
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
although
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
for God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִנָּחֵ֥ם
repent
H5162
יִנָּחֵ֥ם
repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
הָעָ֛ם
Lest peradventure the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
Lest peradventure the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בִּרְאֹתָ֥ם
when they see
H7200
בִּרְאֹתָ֥ם
when they see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
21 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
war
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
22 of 24
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:17And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.1 Kings 8:47Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;Acts 7:39To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,Deuteronomy 20:8And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.Acts 15:38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.Deuteronomy 17:16But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Historical Context
The Philistine coastal route (later called Via Maris) was the quickest path to Canaan but heavily fortified. Israel, freshly freed slaves without military training, would have faced immediate overwhelming warfare.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's consideration of Israel's weakness demonstrate His pastoral care in leading you through trials?
- What does God choosing a longer path to avoid premature testing teach about trusting His timing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's guidance avoids the direct route to Canaan—'through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.' The rationale reveals pastoral wisdom: 'Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war.' God orchestrates circumstances considering Israel's weakness. The concern 'return to Egypt' shows how quickly discouraged people abandon God's purposes. Divine strategy accommodates human frailty while accomplishing purposes.