King James Version

What Does Exodus 14:2 Mean?

Exodus 14:2 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

Exodus 14:2 · KJV


Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

3

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to 'turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon' redirects Israel toward the sea. This positioning, with water blocking forward progress and Egyptians behind, creates a strategic trap—from human perspective. The phrase 'before it shall ye encamp by the sea' places them in visible vulnerability. God intentionally creates a crisis requiring miraculous deliverance to maximize His glory.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exact locations (Pihahiroth, Migdol, Baalzephon) are debated, but clearly Israel was directed to encamp in a narrow space between sea and mountains with limited escape routes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes positioning you in humanly impossible situations demonstrate that salvation is His work alone?
  2. What does God creating crisis to maximize His glory teach about the purpose of trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
דַּבֵּר֮1 of 20

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 20

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒4 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְיָשֻׁ֗בוּ5 of 20

that they turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

תַֽחֲנ֖וּ6 of 20

and encamp

H2583

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

לִפְנֵי֙7 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פִּ֣י8 of 20
H0
הַֽחִירֹ֔ת9 of 20

Pihahiroth

H6367

pi-ha-chiroth, a place in egypt

בֵּ֥ין10 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

מִגְדֹּ֖ל11 of 20

between Migdol

H4024

migdol, a place in egypt

וּבֵ֣ין12 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַיָּֽם׃13 of 20

and the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

לִפְנֵי֙14 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּ֣עַל15 of 20
H0
צְפֹ֔ן16 of 20

Baalzephon

H1189

baal-tsephon, a place in eqypt

נִכְח֥וֹ17 of 20

before

H5226

properly, the fore part; used adverbially, opposite

תַֽחֲנ֖וּ18 of 20

and encamp

H2583

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

עַל19 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיָּֽם׃20 of 20

and the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif


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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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