Exodus 14:10
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וּפַרְעֹ֖ה
And when Pharaoh
H6547
וּפַרְעֹ֖ה
And when Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
1 of 18
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
הִקְרִ֑יב
drew nigh
H7126
הִקְרִ֑יב
drew nigh
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
2 of 18
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֩
lifted up
H5375
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֩
lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
3 of 18
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְנֵֽי
and the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 18
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 #:
5 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֜ם
their eyes
H5869
עֵֽינֵיהֶ֜ם
their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מִצְרַ֣יִם׀
and behold the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֣יִם׀
and behold the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
9 of 18
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
נֹסֵ֣עַ
marched
H5265
נֹסֵ֣עַ
marched
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיִּֽירְאוּ֙
afraid
H3372
וַיִּֽירְאוּ֙
afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
12 of 18
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מְאֹ֔ד
them and they were sore
H3966
מְאֹ֔ד
them and they were sore
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּ
cried out
H6817
וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּ
cried out
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
14 of 18
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
בְנֵֽי
and the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:9And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;Joshua 24:7And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.Psalms 34:17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.Psalms 107:6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.Psalms 53:5There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.2 Chronicles 18:31And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
Historical Context
The approaching dust cloud of thousands of chariots would have been terrifying to unarmed civilians. This represented the same force that held them in bondage for 400 years—psychological trauma reinforced by current threat.
Questions for Reflection
- How does fear sometimes make you forget God's past deliverances despite overwhelming evidence?
- What does God answering fearful prayers teach about His patience with weak faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When 'the children of Israel lifted up their eyes' and saw Egyptian approach, fear replaced faith. Despite witnessing ten plagues and miraculous exodus, visible danger overwhelmed prior experience. Their response—'cried out unto the LORD'—shows mixed faith: they appeal to God while complaining to Moses. This realistic portrayal shows weak faith can still cry to the right source. God answers fearful prayers despite unbelief's mixture.