Deep Dive

Exodus 13:18

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So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 18

In this chapter we have, I. The commands God gave to Israel, 1. To sanctify all their firstborn to him (Exo 13:1, Exo 13:2). 2. To be sure to remember their deliverance out of Egypt (Exo 13:3, Exo 13:4), and, in remembrance of it, to keep the feast of unleavened bread (Exo 13:5-7). 3. To transmit the knowledge of it with all possible care to their children (Exo 13:8-10). 4. To set apart unto God the firstlings of their cattle (Exo 13:11-13), and to explain that also to their children (Exo 13:14-16). II. The care God took of Israel, when he had brought them out of Egypt. I. Choosing their way for them (Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18). 2. Guiding them in the way (Exo 13:20-22). And III. Their care of Joseph's bones (Exo 13:19).

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 18

13:18 roundabout way: There is disagreement among scholars about the identification of some of the sites mentioned (13:20; 14:2), so there is little consensus about the precise route the Israelites took. • Red Sea: Literally sea of reeds. The Red Sea proper is too far south. The Sea of Reeds was part of the Red Sea, probably located at the northern end of the Gulf of Suez.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 18

אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… סוּף (çûwph, H5488) — a reed, especially the papyrus יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… חָמֻשׁ (châmush, H2571) — staunch, i.e. able-bodied soldiers אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Exodus 14:2rank 4

“Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. You are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal-zephon.

Deuteronomy 32:10rank 3

He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.

Joshua 1:14rank 2

Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them,

Exodus 12:51rank 2

And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.

Psalms 107:7rank 1

He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.

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