Exodus 14:20

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֞א
H935
And it came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
בֵּ֣ין׀
H996
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#3
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
H4264
and the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#4
מִצְרַ֗יִם
H4714
of the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#5
וּבֵין֙
H996
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#6
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
H4264
and the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
הֶֽעָנָן֙
H6051
and it was a cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#10
וְהַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
H2822
and darkness
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
#11
וַיָּ֖אֶר
H215
to them but it gave light
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
H3915
all the night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#14
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
קָרַ֥ב
H7126
to these so that the one came not near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#16
זֶ֖ה
H2088
the other
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#17
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
זֶ֖ה
H2088
the other
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#19
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
H3915
all the night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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