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.

EXODUS 14:25KJV
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Exodus 14:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 14:25 mean?

Exodus 14:25 describes how God caused the Egyptians’ chariots to break down as they chased the Israelites, making it hard for them to drive. Realizing they were in trouble, the Egyptians decided to flee because they saw that the LORD was fighting for Israel against them.

In this moment, the Egyptians are pursuing the Israelites through the parted Red Sea. Suddenly, their chariots become difficult to control, which the text presents as a direct act of God. The Egyptians themselves recognize that they are facing divine opposition, not just a military setback, and this realization causes them to panic and try to escape.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 14:25

  • "off" (סוּר, sur): This word means "to remove" or "to turn aside." Here, it emphasizes that the chariot wheels were not just stuck but actively came off, making escape impossible.
  • "heavily" (כְּבֵד֖וּת, kevedut): This word carries the sense of something being heavy or burdensome. The chariots did not just slow down; they became extremely hard to move, highlighting the seriousness of the Egyptians’ predicament.
  • "fighteth" (לָחַם, lacham): This verb means "to fight" or "to do battle." The Egyptians’ statement shows they understood the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) was actively fighting on Israel’s behalf, not just passively allowing events to unfold.

Why Exodus 14:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Egyptians’ defeat was not due to natural causes or Israel’s own strength, but a direct intervention by the LORD, which even their enemies recognized.
  • The detail about the chariot wheels coming off shows how God could use specific, targeted actions to protect Israel and hinder their pursuers, not just broad miracles.
  • Exodus 14:25 sets up the final deliverance of Israel by showing the Egyptians’ growing fear and realization that they are up against a power far greater than themselves, leading to the climax of the crossing of the Red Sea.

Where else these words appear

“wheels” Hebrew H212 · used in 22 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:30 And every base had four brasen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver were undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.
  • Ezekiel 1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
  • Ezekiel 10:10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.

“drave” Hebrew H5090 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
  • Psalms 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

“chariot” Hebrew H4818 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • Song of Solomon 6:12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.

“flee” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.