Exodus 14:7
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקַּ֗ח
And he took
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֗ח
And he took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 11
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
שֵׁשׁ
six
H8337
שֵׁשׁ
six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
2 of 11
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
רֶ֣כֶב
and all the chariots
H7393
רֶ֣כֶב
and all the chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
4 of 11
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רֶ֣כֶב
and all the chariots
H7393
רֶ֣כֶב
and all the chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
7 of 11
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
וְשָֽׁלִשִׁ֖ם
and captains
H7991
וְשָֽׁלִשִׁ֖ם
and captains
Strong's:
H7991
Word #:
9 of 11
a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)
Cross References
Exodus 15:4Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.Isaiah 37:24By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.Psalms 68:17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Exodus 14:23And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.Judges 4:3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.Judges 4:15And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
Historical Context
600 elite chariots plus 'all the chariots' likely numbered in the thousands. Each chariot had a crew of three. This represented Egypt's full military might against defenseless civilians.
Questions for Reflection
- How do overwhelming odds against you create opportunity for God to demonstrate His power?
- What does God allowing massive enemy force to pursue His people teach about His confidence in delivering them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The force composition—'six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them'—emphasizes overwhelming military superiority. 'Chosen' chariots were elite forces; 'all the chariots' indicates full mobilization; 'captains' (shalishim, שָׁלִשִׁים) were third-man crews (driver, fighter, shield-bearer). This massive force pursues unarmed former slaves. God orchestrates overwhelming human odds to make His deliverance undeniable.