Exodus 14:12

Exodus 14:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
• New International Version (NIV)Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

Context of Exodus 14:12

10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians were coming after them. Terrified, the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 11They said to Moses, “Did you bring us out into the desert to die because there were no graves in Egypt? Look what you’ve done by bringing us out of Egypt! Didn’t we tell you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone! Let us go on serving the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13Moses answered the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see what the Lord will do to save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 14The Lord is fighting for you! So be still!”

Exodus 14:12 word by word

הֲלֹא־זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבַּ֨רְנוּ אֵלֶ֤יךָ בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חֲדַ֥ל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ וְנַֽעַבְדָ֣ה אֶת־מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּ֣י ט֥וֹב לָ֙נוּ֙ עֲבֹ֣ד אֶת־מִצְרַ֔יִם מִמֻּתֵ֖נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• not this the wordדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• that we did tellדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
• thee in Egyptמִצְרַ֫יִםmitsrayim · EgyptH4714
• sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Let us aloneחָדַלchâdal · to ceaseH2308
• that we may serveעָבַד‛âbad · to serveH5647
• the Egyptiansמִצְרַ֫יִםmitsrayim · EgyptH4714
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than that we should dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• in the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057

Cross-references for Exodus 14:12

• Exodus 5:21So they said, “May the Lord see what you have done and judge you! You have made Pharaoh and his officials hate us. You have given them an excuse to kill us.”
• Exodus 3:9I have heard the cry of the people of Israel. I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them.
• Hosea 4:17The people of Ephraim have chosen to worship idols. Leave them alone!
• Mark 1:24“What do you want with us, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
• Mark 5:7and shouted, “Why are you bothering me now, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me.”
• Jonah 4:3So now, Lord, take my life. I’d rather be dead than alive.”

Commentaries on Exodus 14:12

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Let us alone - This is a gross exaggeration, yet not without a semblance of truth: for although the Israelites welcomed the message of Moses at first, they gave way completely at the first serious trial. See the reference in the margin. The whole passage foreshadows the conduct of the people in the wilderness.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 14:12

• Doubting
• Egypt
• Egyptians
• Infidelity
• Israel
• Murmuring
• Prayer
• Presumption
• Readings, Select
• Servant
• Trouble
• Uncharitableness

In the dictionaries

• Egypt
• Egypt, Egyptian
• Better
• Cover
• Heavily
• Lack
• Rain
• Red Sea
• Salvation
• Watch

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