Exodus 13:18
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּסֵּ֨ב
about
H5437
וַיַּסֵּ֨ב
about
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
1 of 14
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֱלֹהִ֧ים׀
But God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֧ים׀
But God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 14
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֛ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
through the way
H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
through the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
of the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
of the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
יַם
sea
H3220
יַם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
7 of 14
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
עָל֥וּ
went up
H5927
עָל֥וּ
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
10 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְנֵֽי
and the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Exodus 14:2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Historical Context
The Red Sea route through the Sinai wilderness avoided immediate military conflict but presented logistical challenges—water, food, travel. This wilderness became Israel's training ground.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God's 'indirect' path in your life served purposes that a direct route wouldn't accomplish?
- What does the wilderness route teach about spiritual formation requiring dependence rather than self-sufficiency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The alternative route 'led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea' seems indirect but serves purposes—testing, training, revealing dependence on God. The phrase 'the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt' has ambiguous Hebrew ('chamushim,' חֲמֻשִׁים) meaning either 'armed' or 'organized by fifties.' Either way, it indicates order, not chaos. Wilderness path produces dependence that prosperity route wouldn't.