New International Version
Exodus 14:11
11They 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?
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?
- 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?
- New Living Translation (NLT)and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?
Context of Exodus 14:11
9The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 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? 12Didn’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!” 13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. 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 15:23When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)
- Exodus 16:2In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
- Exodus 17:2So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”
- Numbers 11:1Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
- Numbers 14:1That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.
- Numbers 16:41The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.
- Psalms 106:7When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
- Exodus 5:22Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?
- Genesis 43:6Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”
- Numbers 11:15If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
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
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