Exodus 14:12
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹא
H3808
הֲלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הַדָּבָ֗ר
Is not this the word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֗ר
Is not this the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֨רְנוּ
that we did tell
H1696
דִּבַּ֨רְנוּ
that we did tell
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
חֲדַ֥ל
Let us alone
H2308
חֲדַ֥ל
Let us alone
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עֲבֹ֣ד
for us to serve
H5647
עֲבֹ֣ד
for us to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
11 of 21
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֥וֹב
For it had been better
H2896
ט֥וֹב
For it had been better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
15 of 21
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
עֲבֹ֣ד
for us to serve
H5647
עֲבֹ֣ד
for us to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
17 of 21
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 6:9And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.Jonah 4:3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.Exodus 5:21And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.Exodus 3:9Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.Jonah 4:8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.Mark 1:24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.Mark 5:7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.Hosea 4:17Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
Historical Context
No earlier conversation matching this claim appears in Exodus. Fear manufactures false memories to justify present unbelief. This complaint became Israel's characteristic wilderness sin—nostalgia for Egypt (Numbers 11:5, 14:3-4).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Egypt' of sin do you romanticize when faith's path becomes difficult?
- How does fear cause you to rewrite history to justify present unbelief?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The continued complaint 'Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' claims they warned Moses, though no such conversation is recorded. Fear rewrites history, imagining past wisdom. The perverse conclusion 'it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness' prefers slavery to freedom, bondage to faith. This encapsulates fallen humanity's tendency toward known misery over risky trust.