Exodus 14:24

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְּאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת
watch
a night watch
#3
הַבֹּ֔קֶר
And it came to pass that in the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#4
וַיַּשְׁקֵ֤ף
looked
properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
#5
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה
the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#8
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
of the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#9
בְּעַמּ֥וּד
through the pillar
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
#10
אֵ֖שׁ
of fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#11
וְעָנָ֑ן
and of the cloud
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
#12
וַיָּ֕הָם
and troubled
properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy
#13
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה
the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#15
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
of the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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