Christian Standard Bible
Exodus 14:11
11They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
Exodus 14:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
- New International Version (NIV)They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
- English Standard Version (ESV)They said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?
Context of Exodus 14:11
9The Egyptians — all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army — chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.
Read all of Exodus 14Exodus 14:11 word by word
וַיֹּאמְרוּ֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ הַֽמִבְּלִ֤י אֵין־קְבָרִים֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם לְקַחְתָּ֖נוּ לָמ֣וּת בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר מַה־זֹּאת֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֔נוּ לְהוֹצִיאָ֖נוּ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And they saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto Mosesמֹשֶׁהmôsheh · MosesH4872
- no gravesקֶ֫בֶרqeber qibrâh · graveH6913
- in Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםmitsrayim · EgyptH4714
- hast thou taken us awayלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
- to dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
- in the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
- whereforeזֹאתzô'th · thisH2063
- hast thou dealtעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- thus with us, to carry us forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: sendH3318
Cross-references for Exodus 14:11
- Exodus 15:23They came to Marah, but they could not drink the water at Marah because it was bitter — that is why it was named Marah.
- Exodus 16:2The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
- Exodus 17:2So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me?” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord?”
- Numbers 11:1Now the people began complaining openly before the Lord about hardship. When the Lord heard, his anger burned, and fire from the Lord blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
- Numbers 14:1Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night.
- Numbers 16:41The next day the entire Israelite community complained about Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people!”
- Psalms 106:7Our ancestors in Egypt did not grasp the significance of your wondrous works or remember your many acts of faithful love; instead, they rebelled by the sea — the Red Sea.
- Exodus 5:22So Moses went back to the Lord and asked, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? And why did you ever send me?
- Genesis 43:6“Why have you caused me so much trouble?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man that you had another brother?”
- Numbers 11:15If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don’t let me see my misery anymore.”
Commentaries on Exodus 14:11
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11No graves in Egypt - This bitter taunt was probably suggested by the vast extent of cemeteries in Egypt, which might not improperly be called the land of tombs.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-14Verses 10-14 There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray, and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They quarrel…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-12This complaint is the first of many that would follow during the next 40 years. Instead of trusting the God who had shown his great power, the Israelites turned against the one who had rescued them. Their response shows a deeper problem. An unsurrendered heart (a person’s inner attitude, will, or decision-making center) prefers safety over trust. In simple terms, their attitude was this: “It is better to return to the security of slavery than to face the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-312. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp--The Israelites had now completed their three days' journey, and at Etham the decisive step would have to be taken whether they would celebrate their intended feast and return, or march onwards by the head of the Red Sea into the desert, with a view to a final departure. They were already on the borders of the desert, and a short march would have placed them beyond the reach of pursuit, as…Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 14:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Exodus 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries