Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1 CORINTHIANS 10:1KJV
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1 Corinthians 10:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 10:1 mean?

In 1 Corinthians 10:1, Paul asks the Corinthian believers to remember what happened to the Israelites when they left Egypt. He begins an account in which the whole group shared the same remarkable experiences, setting up a warning that follows in the passage.

Paul calls the Israelites “our fathers,” treating their story as part of the shared history his readers need to know. The cloud recalls God’s presence and guidance during their journey, while the crossing of the sea recalls their escape from Egypt (Exodus 13:21–22; 14:21–22).

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 10:1

  • “ignorant” — ἀγνοέω (agnoeō): This word carries the sense of not knowing. “I would not that ye should be ignorant” is Paul’s way of saying that he wants his readers to know the account he is about to recall.
  • “fathers” — πατέρες (pateres): The word can mean fathers or ancestors. Here Paul uses it for the earlier generation of Israelites, not just for the Corinthians’ immediate parents.

Why 1 Corinthians 10:1 matters

  • The verse gives the same starting point to the whole group. Paul says “all” were under the cloud and “all” passed through the sea; later in the passage, he contrasts those shared experiences with what happened to many of them (verse 5).
  • The word “Moreover” connects the account to Paul’s preceding discussion. After describing his own concern about being disqualified in 9:27, he turns to Israel’s history as an example for his readers.

Where else these words appear

“ignorant” Greek G50 · used in 21 verses

  • Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
  • Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

“cloud” Greek G3507 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
  • Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
  • Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

“passed” Greek G1330 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
  • Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

“sea” Greek G2281 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
  • 1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;