Exodus 14:10
New International Version
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

New Living Translation
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD,

English Standard Version
When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

King James Bible
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

New King James Version
And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
As Pharaoh approached, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were coming after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.

NASB 1995
As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.

NASB 1977
And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Pharaoh drew near, and the sons of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very afraid; so the sons of Israel cried out to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
As 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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the LORD for help.

American Standard Version
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
When the Israelites saw the king coming with his army, they were frightened and begged the LORD for help.

English Revised Version
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians were coming after them. Terrified, the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

Good News Translation
When the Israelites saw the king and his army marching against them, they were terrified and cried out to the LORD for help.

International Standard Version
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelis looked up, and there were the Egyptians bearing down on them! Extremely frightened, the Israelis cried out to the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

NET Bible
When Pharaoh got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to the LORD,

New Heart English Bible
When Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and look, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were greatly afraid; and the children of Israel cried to the LORD.

World English Bible
When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Pharaoh has drawn near, and the sons of Israel lift up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians are journeying after them, and they fear exceedingly, and the sons of Israel cry to YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And Pharaoh hath drawn near, and the sons of Israel lift up their eyes, and lo, the Egyptians are journeying after them, and they fear exceedingly, and the sons of Israel cry unto Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Pharaoh drew near, and the sons of Israel will lift up their eyes, and behold, Egypt encamped behind them; and they will be exceedingly afraid: and the sons of Israel will cry to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Pharao drew near, the children of Israel, lifting up their eyes, saw the Egyptians behind them: and they feared exceedingly, and cried to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Pharaoh had drawn near, the sons of Israel, lifting up their eyes, saw the Egyptians behind them. And they were very afraid. And they cried out to the Lord.

New American Bible
Now Pharaoh was near when the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians had set out after them. Greatly frightened, the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes and saw the Egyptians marching after them; and they were terribly afraid; and the children of Israel prayed before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Pharaoh came near and the house of Israel lifted up their eyes, and they saw the Egyptians as they came after them and they were very afraid and the children of Israel prayed before LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid; and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Pharao approached, and the children of Israel having looked up, beheld, and the Egyptians encamped behind them: and they were very greatly terrified, and the children of Israel cried to the Lord;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites
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 saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?…

Cross References
Psalm 106:7-8
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea. / Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.

Numbers 14:1-3
Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept. / All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! / Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

Deuteronomy 1:29-31
So I said to you: “Do not be terrified or afraid of them! / The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt / and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.”

Joshua 24:6-7
When I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you reached the Red Sea, the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. / So your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

Nehemiah 9:9-10
You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

Isaiah 51:9-10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Psalm 77:16-20
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ...

Psalm 78:12-13
He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. / He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall.

Psalm 105:25-26
whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants. / He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Romans 9:17-18
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Jude 1:5
Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe.

Matthew 8:25-26
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.


Treasury of Scripture

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.

sore afraid

Psalm 53:5
There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

Isaiah 7:2
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

Isaiah 8:12,13
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid…

cried out

Joshua 24:7
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.

2 Chronicles 18:31
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

Nehemiah 9:9
And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

Jump to Previous
Afraid Approached Children Cried Cry Drew Egyptians Eyes Fear Frightened Full Great Greatly Israel Journeying Lifted Marched Marching Nigh Pharaoh Sore
Jump to Next
Afraid Approached Children Cried Cry Drew Egyptians Eyes Fear Frightened Full Great Greatly Israel Journeying Lifted Marched Marching Nigh Pharaoh Sore
Exodus 14
1. God instructs the Israelites in their journey
5. Pharaoh pursues after them
10. The Israelites murmur
13. Moses comforts them
15. God instructs Moses
19. The cloud removes behind the camp
21. The Israelites pass through the Red sea, which drowns the Egyptians














As Pharaoh approached
This phrase sets the scene for a moment of intense drama and fear. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, symbolizes the oppressive power that had enslaved the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "approached" (קָרַב, qarab) conveys a sense of imminent threat and confrontation. Historically, Pharaoh's approach represents the relentless pursuit of worldly powers against God's people. This moment is a test of faith, reminding believers that even when the enemy seems near, God’s deliverance is at hand.

the Israelites looked up
The act of looking up signifies a shift in focus. In Hebrew, "looked up" (נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם, nasa enayim) often implies seeking divine intervention or guidance. This phrase suggests a moment of realization and awareness of their dire situation. For Christians, it serves as a metaphor for turning one's eyes from earthly troubles to heavenly solutions, emphasizing the importance of seeking God in times of distress.

and saw the Egyptians marching after them
The sight of the Egyptians, their former captors, marching after them, would have been a terrifying reminder of their past bondage. The Hebrew word for "marching" (נָסַע, nasa) indicates a determined pursuit. This phrase highlights the persistence of spiritual and physical adversaries. It serves as a reminder that the Christian journey often involves facing past fears and challenges, but with the assurance of God’s protection.

and they were terrified
The Israelites' fear is palpable and understandable. The Hebrew word for "terrified" (יָרֵא, yare) conveys a deep, overwhelming fear. This reaction is a natural human response to danger, yet it also sets the stage for a divine intervention. In the Christian life, fear can be a catalyst for faith, driving believers to rely more fully on God’s promises and power.

and cried out to the LORD
In their fear, the Israelites turn to the LORD, which is a pivotal moment of faith. The Hebrew root for "cried out" (צָעַק, tsa'aq) implies a desperate plea for help. This act of crying out is a profound expression of dependence on God. It reflects the biblical principle that in times of trouble, believers are to call upon the Lord, trusting in His ability to save and deliver. This phrase encourages Christians to seek God earnestly, knowing that He hears and responds to the cries of His people.

(10) The children of Israel . . . were sore afraid.--It has been objected that 600,000 men above twenty years of age had no need to be afraid of such an army as the Pharaoh could have hastily gathered. The entire armed force of Egypt is reckoned by Herodotus (2:166-168) at 410,000, and it is tolerably clear that not one-half of these could have been mustered. It would imply, indeed, more facility of mobilisation than we should have expected in this early age, if Pharaoh was able to bring 100,000 men into the field upon a sudden emergency. Why, then, it is asked, should the Israelites have been "sore afraid" of a force but one-sixth of their number? Were they "arrant cowards?" The answer is that the Egyptian army, whatever its number, was composed of trained soldiers, well-armed and used to war; the 600,000 Israelites were, in the main, unarmed, ignorant of warfare, and trained very imperfectly. Above a million Persian soldiers were defeated and slaughtered like sheep by 47,000 Graeco-Macedonians at Arbela. A similar result would, humanly speaking, have followed on a conflict between the Israelites and the Egyptians at Pi-hahiroth. The fear of the former was therefore perfectly legitimate.

The children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.--If Israel had been unduly timid--which we have shown not to have been the case--at any rate they knew where to make their appeal for succour. There is no help like that of Jehovah.

Verses 10-14. - THE TERROR OF ISRAEL AND THE COURAGE OF MOSES. It has been argued that the Israelites, if they were so numerous as stated (Exodus 12:37), must have been wretched cowards, if they were afraid to risk an engagement with such an army as that hastily levied one which Pharaoh had brought with him. But the difference between an army of trained soldiers, thoroughly equipped for war, with helmets, shields, breastplates, swords and spears, and an undisciplined multitude, unarmed for the most part, and wholly unaccustomed to warfare, is such, that the latter, whatever its numbers, may be excused if it does not feel able to cope with the former, and declines an engagement. Numbers, without military training and discipline, are of no avail - nay, are even a disadvantage, since the men impede one another. It is not necessary to suppose that the Israelites were debased in character by their long servitude to account for their panic on seeing the army of Pharaoh. They had good grounds for their fear. Humanly speaking, resistance would simply have led to their indiscriminate massacre. The alarm of the Hebrews, and even the reproaches with which they assail Moses, are thus quite natural under the circumstances. What is surprising is, the noble courage and confidence of Moses. Moses, though only vaguely informed, that God would "be honoured upon Pharaoh and all his host" (ver. 4), is perfectly certain that all will go well - how the result will be achieved, he knows not; but he is sure that Israel will be delivered and Egypt discomfited; his people have no reason to fear - they have but to "stand still and see the salvation of God" (ver. 13); "the Lord will fight for them;" they will have simply to "hold their peace" (ver. 14). Verse 10. - They were sore afraid. Before the Israelites are taxed with cowardice, let it be considered -

1. That they were unarmed. Egypt was so settled a government that civilians generally went unarmed; and slaves, like the Hebrews, would scarcely have been allowed to possess any arms, if the case had been otherwise.

2. They had no military training. Whatever had been done to teach them order and arrangement in connection with their proposed journey, we may be sure there had been no drill or training in the use of arms, since this would have been regarded by the Egyptians as open rebellion.

3. They were quite unaccustomed to warfare. The Pharaohs main-rained large garrisons of Egyptian and mercenary troops in the frontier provinces, to resist the invasions to which they were liable. The Hebrews may have had occasionally to defend themselves against a hasty raid: but in real war they had stood aloof, and left the fighting to the regular Egyptian army. The children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. The appeal to Jehovah showed that, with all their weaknesses and imperfections, the Israelites were yet true at heart. They knew where alone help was to be obtained, and made their appeal accordingly. No cry is more sure of an answer than the despairing one - "Lord, save us; we perish."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As Pharaoh
וּפַרְעֹ֖ה (ū·p̄ar·‘ōh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

approached,
הִקְרִ֑יב (hiq·rîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

looked up
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֩ (way·yiś·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and saw
וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the Egyptians
מִצְרַ֣יִם ׀ (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

marching
נֹסֵ֣עַ (nō·sê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey

after them,
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

and [they]
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

were terrified
וַיִּֽירְאוּ֙ (way·yî·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

and cried out
וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּ (way·yiṣ·‘ă·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


Links
Exodus 14:10 NIV
Exodus 14:10 NLT
Exodus 14:10 ESV
Exodus 14:10 NASB
Exodus 14:10 KJV

Exodus 14:10 BibleApps.com
Exodus 14:10 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 14:10 Chinese Bible
Exodus 14:10 French Bible
Exodus 14:10 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 14:10 When Pharaoh drew near the children (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 14:9
Top of Page
Top of Page