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 14:10KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 14:10 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Joshua 24:7 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.
  • 2 Kings 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

“marched” Hebrew H5265 · used in 140 verses

  • Genesis 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
  • Numbers 10:25 And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
  • Numbers 33:32 And they removed from Benejaakan, and encamped at Horhagidgad.