King James Version

What Does Exodus 14:25 Mean?

Exodus 14:25 in the King James Version says “And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face o...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. that they: or, and made them to go heavily”

Exodus 14:25 · KJV

Context

23

And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24

And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

25

And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. that they: or, and made them to go heavily

26

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

27

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. overthrew: Heb. shook off

Read Exodus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God 'took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily' demonstrates how God can disable superior technology with simple mechanical failure. The verb 'yasur' (יָסוּר) means removed or loosened—either breaking or jamming wheels. Egypt's elite chariots become death-traps. The Egyptian realization 'Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians' comes too late. Recognition of truth after the trap closes brings no salvation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Chariot wheels detaching or jamming in seabed turned Egypt's military advantage into disadvantage. What gave them speed and power became vehicles of death when God intervened.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God disabled the 'superior technology' or advantages your enemies used against you?
  2. What does Egypt's recognition 'the LORD fights for Israel' coming too late teach about the tragedy of delayed recognition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּ֗סַר1 of 16

“And took off”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֵ֚ת2 of 16
H853

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

אֹפַ֣ן3 of 16

“wheels”

H212

a wheel

מַרְכְּבֹתָ֔יו4 of 16

“their chariot”

H4818

a chariot

וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֖הוּ5 of 16

“that they drave”

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

בִּכְבֵדֻ֑ת6 of 16

“them heavily”

H3517

difficulty

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃8 of 16

“for them against the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אָנ֙וּסָה֙9 of 16

“Let us flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

מִפְּנֵ֣י10 of 16

“from the face”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל11 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כִּ֣י12 of 16
H3588

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

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 16

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

נִלְחָ֥ם14 of 16

“fighteth”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H0
בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃16 of 16

“for them against the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 14:25 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 14:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 14:141 Samuel 4:7-8Job 20:24Jeremiah 51:21Deuteronomy 3:22Amos 9:1

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 14 →

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