Numbers 33:7
And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pi-hahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon: and they pitched before Migdol.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they removed
H5265
וַיִּסְעוּ֙
And they removed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙
and turned again
H7725
וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙
and turned again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ
and they pitched
H2583
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ
and they pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
Cross References
Exodus 14:2Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.Exodus 14:9But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.Numbers 33:8And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Historical Context
This occurred approximately 7-10 days after the Exodus. Pi-hahiroth's exact location is debated, but it was near the Red Sea's northern extension (likely the Bitter Lakes region). Baal-zephon was an Egyptian shrine to the Canaanite storm god. The geographical trap was intentional, setting the stage for Exodus 14's sea crossing.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God led you into an apparent "trap" that actually positioned you for miraculous deliverance?
- How does this strategic retreat demonstrate that faith sometimes looks like foolishness by worldly military standards?
- What does camping "before Baal-zephon" (a false god's shrine) suggest about God's supremacy over pagan deities?
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Analysis & Commentary
Turned again unto Pi-hahiroth (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ עַל־פִּי הַחִירֹת, vayashuvu al-Pi ha-Chiroth)—The verb shuv (turned back) indicates a reversal. After leaving Etham, God commanded Moses to "turn back" (Exodus 14:2), appearing to trap Israel between the Red Sea and approaching Egyptian army. Pi-hahiroth means "mouth of the gorges," a narrow pass. Which is before Baal-zephon positions them before a Canaanite shrine, as if fleeing in confusion.
This divine strategy (appearing to retreat) set the trap for Pharaoh. Exodus 14:3 reveals God's purpose: "Pharaoh will say, They are entangled in the land." Israel's apparent military blunder baited Egypt's pride into pursuing—straight into history's most decisive miracle. The mention of camping before Migdol (מִגְדֹּל, "tower/fortress") emphasizes the seeming impossibility: trapped between military installation, sea, and pursuing army.