King James Version

What Does Joshua 24:6 Mean?

Joshua 24:6 in the King James Version says “And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with cha... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.

Joshua 24:6 · KJV


Context

4

And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

5

I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.

6

And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.

7

And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.

8

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I brought your fathers out of Egypt (וָאוֹצִא אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם)—the Exodus becomes the paradigmatic redemption event, foreshadowing Christ's greater deliverance. The verb yatsa (יָצָא, to bring out/lead forth) in the causative form emphasizes God's initiative in liberation. Israel did not escape; God brought them out.

The Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea—the mention of rechev (רֶכֶב, chariots) and parashim (פָּרָשִׁים, horsemen) highlights Egyptian military superiority. Israel, a slave rabble, faced Egypt's elite chariot corps—the ancient world's most formidable military technology. The phrase Yam Suph (יַם־סוּף, Red Sea, literally 'Sea of Reeds') marks the site of God's climactic deliverance. This impossible situation—trapped between Pharaoh's army and the sea—sets the stage for God's power display. Salvation comes not through human strength but divine intervention alone.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus occurred around 1446 BC (early date) or 1260 BC (late date). Egyptian chariots, introduced during the Hyksos period, dominated ancient warfare. Archaeological evidence from Pharaoh Rameses II's reign shows massive chariot forces. Israel's pursuit to the Red Sea (traditionally identified with the Gulf of Suez or Gulf of Aqaba, though some scholars suggest the Bitter Lakes region) demonstrated Egypt's determination to recapture their slave labor force. The dramatic rescue at the sea became Israel's foundational salvation story, celebrated annually at Passover.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Exodus ('I brought your fathers out') serve as the Old Testament paradigm for Christ's greater redemption?
  2. What does Egypt's pursuit with superior military technology teach about spiritual enemies and human helplessness?
  3. Why does Scripture repeatedly rehearse the Exodus story as the foundation of Israel's identity and God's saving character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וָֽאוֹצִ֤יא1 of 14

And I brought

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶת2 of 14
H853

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

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם3 of 14

your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם4 of 14

and the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַתָּבֹ֖אוּ5 of 14

and ye came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יַם6 of 14

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

וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ7 of 14

pursued

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

מִצְרַ֜יִם8 of 14
H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

אַֽחֲרֵ֧י9 of 14

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם10 of 14

your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּרֶ֥כֶב11 of 14

with chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וּבְפָֽרָשִׁ֖ים12 of 14

and horsemen

H6571

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

יַם13 of 14

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

סֽוּף׃14 of 14

unto the Red

H5488

a reed, especially the papyrus


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Joshua 24:6 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 Joshua 24:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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