King James Version

What Does Exodus 14:13 Mean?

Exodus 14:13 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you t... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. for the: or, for whereas ye have seen the Egyptians to day

Exodus 14:13 · KJV


Context

11

And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

12

Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

13

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. for the: or, for whereas ye have seen the Egyptians to day

14

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

15

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' response—'Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD'—commands both negative (don't fear) and positive (stand firm) actions. The phrase 'see the salvation' (yeshu'at YHWH, יְשׁוּעַת יְהוָה) calls them to witness divine deliverance. The promise regarding Egyptians: 'whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever' predicts complete victory. Salvation requires faith to cease anxious activity and watch God work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' confidence despite circumstances demonstrates his faith in God's promises. His command to 'stand still' required Israel to resist panic and wait for God's timing rather than attempt escape.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the command to 'stand still and see' challenge the tendency toward anxious activism in crises?
  2. What enemy or obstacle do you need to stop fearing and trust God to handle completely?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֣ה2 of 27

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָם֮4 of 27

unto the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אַל5 of 27
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָאוּ֒6 of 27

Fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

הִֽתְיַצְב֗וּ7 of 27

ye not stand still

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

לִרְאֹתָ֥ם8 of 27

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת9 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְשׁוּעַ֣ת10 of 27

the salvation

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 27

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁר12 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה13 of 27

which he will shew

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶ֖ם14 of 27
H0
הַיּ֔וֹם15 of 27

to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֗י16 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִרְאֹתָ֥ם18 of 27

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת19 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙20 of 27

for the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הַיּ֔וֹם21 of 27

to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לֹ֥א22 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֹסִ֛פוּ23 of 27

them again

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לִרְאֹתָ֥ם24 of 27

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

ע֖וֹד25 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

עַד26 of 27

no more for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃27 of 27

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 14:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study