And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
EXODUS 14:10KJVWhat does Exodus 14:10 mean?
Exodus 14:10 describes the moment when Pharaoh and his army approach the Israelites, causing the Israelites to become extremely afraid and cry out to the LORD for help. The verse shows the Israelites’ fear as they realize the Egyptians are pursuing them, and their immediate response is to call out to God.
At this point in the story, the Israelites have just left Egypt and are camped by the Red Sea. Pharaoh has changed his mind about letting them go and is chasing after them with his army. The Israelites see the Egyptians coming and panic, feeling trapped and desperate. Their reaction—crying out to the LORD—shows both their fear and their instinct to seek divine help in a crisis.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 14:10
- The word for “afraid” is יָרֵא (yare’), which often means to be terrified or deeply fearful. Here, it emphasizes the intensity of the Israelites’ fear as they see a powerful army coming after them.
- The phrase “cried out” comes from צָעַק (tsa‘aq), which means to call out loudly, often in distress or desperation. This word highlights that the Israelites’ prayer was not calm or routine, but a desperate plea for rescue.
Why Exodus 14:10 matters
- Exodus 14:10 sets the emotional tone for the dramatic events that follow, showing the Israelites’ vulnerability and fear before the parting of the Red Sea.
- The verse highlights the contrast between the Israelites’ fear and God’s coming deliverance, making the miracle that follows even more striking.
- This moment reveals a pattern in the Israelites’ journey: when faced with overwhelming danger, their first response is to cry out to God, showing both their dependence and their uncertainty.