Exodus 14:25
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֖הוּ
that they drave
H5090
וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֖הוּ
that they drave
Strong's:
H5090
Word #:
5 of 16
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃
for them against the Egyptians
H4714
בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃
for them against the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
8 of 16
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
אָנ֙וּסָה֙
Let us flee
H5127
אָנ֙וּסָה֙
Let us flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
9 of 16
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from the face
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
from the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 14:14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.Psalms 68:12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.Psalms 76:6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.Job 27:22For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.Job 20:24He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.Jeremiah 51:21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;Deuteronomy 3:22Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.Amos 9:1I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.Amos 5:19As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.Psalms 46:9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Historical Context
Chariot wheels detaching or jamming in seabed turned Egypt's military advantage into disadvantage. What gave them speed and power became vehicles of death when God intervened.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God disabled the 'superior technology' or advantages your enemies used against you?
- What does Egypt's recognition 'the LORD fights for Israel' coming too late teach about the tragedy of delayed recognition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God 'took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily' demonstrates how God can disable superior technology with simple mechanical failure. The verb 'yasur' (יָסוּר) means removed or loosened—either breaking or jamming wheels. Egypt's elite chariots become death-traps. The Egyptian realization 'Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians' comes too late. Recognition of truth after the trap closes brings no salvation.