Exodus 14:19

Authorized King James Version

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And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּסַּ֞ע removed H5265
וַיִּסַּ֞ע removed
Strong's: H5265
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
מַלְאַ֣ךְ And the angel H4397
מַלְאַ֣ךְ And the angel
Strong's: H4397
Word #: 2 of 15
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 15
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
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ which went H1980
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ which went
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 4 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם before H6440
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 5 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה the camp H4264
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה the camp
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 6 of 15
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 7 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ which went H1980
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ which went
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ behind H310
מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ behind
Strong's: H310
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיִּסַּ֞ע removed H5265
וַיִּסַּ֞ע removed
Strong's: H5265
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
עַמּ֤וּד them and the pillar H5982
עַמּ֤וּד them and the pillar
Strong's: H5982
Word #: 11 of 15
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
הֶֽעָנָן֙ of the cloud H6051
הֶֽעָנָן֙ of the cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 12 of 15
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם before H6440
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 13 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֖ד and stood H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֖ד and stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 14 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ behind H310
מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ behind
Strong's: H310
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

Analysis & Commentary

The angel of God's movement 'from before them' to 'behind them' repositions God's presence from leading to protecting. The pillar of cloud similarly relocates, creating a barrier between Israel and Egypt. This defensive posture shows God doesn't merely guide but actively protects His people. The angel (mal'ach, מַלְאָךְ) likely represents the pre-incarnate Christ—the divine messenger who embodies God's presence.

Historical Context

The angel of the LORD appears throughout Exodus (3:2, 14:19, 23:20-23) as distinct from yet identified with YHWH Himself. This mysterious figure protects and guides Israel while executing judgment.

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