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.
JOSHUA 24:7KJVWhat does Joshua 24:7 mean?
Joshua 24:7 recalls how, when the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help, God created a barrier of darkness between them and the Egyptians, then brought the sea over the Egyptians, destroying them. The verse reminds the people that they personally witnessed these acts in Egypt and then lived in the wilderness for a long time.
In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the gathered Israelites, reminding them of their history as they renew their covenant with God. He points back to the dramatic rescue at the Red Sea, emphasizing that the people themselves saw these miracles. The mention of dwelling in the wilderness "a long season" highlights the lengthy journey and God's ongoing care after their escape from Egypt.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 24:7
- "cried" (צָעַק, tsa'aq) means to call out or cry for help, showing the desperation and dependence of the Israelites when they were trapped by the Egyptians.
- "darkness" (מַאֲפֵלָה, ma'afelah) refers to a deep darkness or gloom, not just the absence of light but a thick, almost tangible barrier that separated the Egyptians from the Israelites, making pursuit impossible.
- "covered" (כָּסָה, kasah) means to cover or overwhelm, describing how the sea completely engulfed the Egyptians, not just stopping them but utterly removing the threat.
- "eyes" (עַיִן, ayin) and "seen" (רָאָה, ra'ah) stress that the people were eyewitnesses to these events, underlining the personal experience and responsibility of the generation Joshua addresses.
Why Joshua 24:7 matters
- Joshua 24:7 clears up any idea that the Exodus was just a story passed down; it insists the audience saw these events themselves, grounding their faith in personal experience.
- The verse emphasizes God's direct intervention and protection, not just in freeing the Israelites but in actively shielding them and defeating their enemies.
- By recalling the long time in the wilderness, Joshua connects the miraculous rescue to the ongoing journey, reminding the people that God's care did not end at the Red Sea but continued throughout their history.