Exodus Chapter 14 · Verse 20
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֞א
And it came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֞א
And it came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵּ֣ין׀
H996
בֵּ֣ין׀
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
2 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the camp
H4264
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 20
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וּבֵין֙
H996
וּבֵין֙
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
5 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the camp
H4264
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
and the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
6 of 20
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 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הֶֽעָנָן֙
and it was a cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָן֙
and it was a cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
9 of 20
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
וְהַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
and darkness
H2822
וְהַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
and darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
10 of 20
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וַיָּ֖אֶר
to them but it gave light
H215
וַיָּ֖אֶר
to them but it gave light
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
11 of 20
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
all the night
H3915
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
all the night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָרַ֥ב
to these so that the one came not near
H7126
קָרַ֥ב
to these so that the one came not near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
15 of 20
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Historical Context
This supernatural darkness/light barrier prevented Egyptian attack during the night while Israel prepared to cross. The pillar that guided now protected, showing God's presence meeting every need.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the same divine presence bringing light to some and darkness to others picture the gospel's dividing effect?
- What does God preventing enemy approach teach about His timing in deliverance—protection while preparing salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
The pillar's dual function—'it gave light to them' (Israel) while 'it was a cloud and darkness to them' (Egypt)—demonstrates one divine presence producing opposite effects based on relationship. Light to believers, darkness to unbelievers. The result: 'the one came not near the other all the night' means God prevented Egyptian advance overnight. The same gospel is life to believers, death to unbelievers (2 Corinthians 2:16).