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

10When Pharaoh drew near, Bnei-Yisrael lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them! So they were terrified, and Bnei-Yisrael cried out to Adonai. 11They said to Moses, “Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness because there were no graves in Egypt? Why have you dealt this way with us, to bring us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone, so that we may serve the Egyptians?’ It was better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!” 13But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see the salvation of Adonai, which He will perform for you today. You have seen the Egyptians today, but you will never see them again, ever! 14Adonai will fight for you, while you hold your peace.”

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 to them, “May Adonai look on you and judge, because you have made us a stench in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants—putting a sword in their hand to kill us!”
• Exodus 3:9Now behold, the cry of Bnei-Yisrael has come to Me. Moreover I have seen the oppression that the Egyptians have inflicted on them.
• Hosea 4:17Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone!
• Mark 1:24“What have we to do with You, Yeshua of Natzeret? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are! You’re the Holy One of God!”
• Mark 5:7Crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What’s between You and me, Yeshua, Ben El Elyon? I’m warning you, in the name of God, do not torment me!”
• Jonah 4:3So please, Adonai, take my soul from me—because better is my death than my life.”

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
• Better
• Cover
• Heavily
• Lack
• Rain
• Red Sea
• Salvation
• Watch
• Exodus, the Book of

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