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For God said, &#8220If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” <a href="/esv/exodus/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” <a href="/kjv/exodus/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: <a href="/nkjv/exodus/13.htm">New King James Version</a> Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” <a href="/nasb/exodus/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, &#8220The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” <a href="/amp/exodus/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So it happened, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearer; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war [that is, that there will be war], and return to Egypt.” <a href="/csb/exodus/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, &#8220The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: <a href="/cev/exodus/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> After the king had finally let the people go, the LORD did not lead them through Philistine territory, though that was the shortest way. God had said, "If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt." <a href="/erv/exodus/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: <a href="/gwt/exodus/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God didn't lead them on the road through Philistine territory, although that was the shortest route. God said, "If they see that they have to fight a war, they may change their minds and go back to Egypt." <a href="/gnt/exodus/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, "I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight." <a href="/isv/exodus/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearer, because God had said, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt." <a href="/msb/exodus/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, ?If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.? <a href="/net/exodus/13.htm">NET Bible</a> When Pharaoh released the people, God did not lead them by the way to the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby, for God said, "Lest the people change their minds and return to Egypt when they experience war." <a href="/nheb/exodus/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt;" <a href="/wbt/exodus/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. <a href="/web/exodus/13.htm">World English Bible</a> When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass in Pharaoh’s sending the people away, that God has not led them the way of the land of the Philistines, for it [is] near; for God said, “Lest the people sigh in their seeing war, and have turned back toward Egypt”; <a href="/ylt/exodus/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass in Pharaoh's sending the people away, that God hath not led them the way of the land of the Philistines, for it is near; for God said, 'Lest the people repent in their seeing war, and have turned back towards Egypt;' <a href="/slt/exodus/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it shall be in Pharaoh's sending forth the people, and God directed not the way of the land of the Philistines, for it is near; for God said, Lest the people shall grieve in their seeing war, and they turn back to Egypt.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when Pharao had sent out the people, the Lord led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines which is near: thinking lest perhaps they would repent, if they should see wars arise against them, and would return into Egypt. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so, when Pharaoh had sent the people away, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, which is nearby, considering that perhaps they might relapse, if they saw wars rise up against them, and then they might return to Egypt. <a href="/nabre/exodus/13.htm">New American Bible</a> Now, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the Philistines’ land, though this was the nearest; for God said: If the people see that they have to fight, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> land it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest the people be afraid when they see war, and return to Egypt: <a href="/hpbt/exodus/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when Pharaoh sent the people God did not escort them in the way of the land of the Philistines because that was near, because God said, “Lest the people are afraid whenever they see war and they would return to Egypt:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said: 'Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.' <a href="/sep/exodus/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And when Pharao sent forth the people, God led them not by the way of the land of the Phylistines, because it was near; for God said, Lest at any time the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt. <a href="/parallel/exodus/13-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=3332" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/13.htm">The Pillars of Cloud and Fire</a> 17<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: par·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">When Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">let the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: bə·šal·laḥ (Prep-b:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">go,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5148.htm" title="5148: nā·ḥām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To lead, guide. A primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport.">lead them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">along the road</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">through the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">of the Philistines,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">though</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: qā·rō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">was shorter.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: bir·’ō·ṯām (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">“If the people face</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: mil·ḥā·māh (N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">war,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/5162.htm" title="5162: yin·nā·ḥêm (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. Breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. to pity, console or rue; or to avenge.">might change their minds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·šā·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and return</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·rā·yə·māh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">to Egypt.”</a> 18So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/14-1.htm">Numbers 14:1-4</a> 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?” ... <a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2</a> Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. <a href="/judges/2-21.htm">Judges 2:21-23</a> I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. / In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.” / That is why the LORD had left those nations in place and had not driven them out immediately by delivering them into the hand of Joshua. <a href="/psalms/107-7.htm">Psalm 107:7</a> He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live. <a href="/isaiah/63-11.htm">Isaiah 63:11-14</a> Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, / who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? ... <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Jeremiah 31:9</a> They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” <a href="/hosea/11-1.htm">Hosea 11:1</a> When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. <a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36</a> 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. <a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-19</a> For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-2</a> 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. <a href="/nehemiah/9-19.htm">Nehemiah 9:19-21</a> You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go. / You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. / For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. <a href="/psalms/136-13.htm">Psalm 136:13-16</a> He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. / and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. / but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever. ... <a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a> He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. <a href="/matthew/2-15.htm">Matthew 2:15</a> where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:the people repent<a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11,12</a> 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? … <a href="/numbers/14-1.htm">Numbers 14:1-4</a> And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night… <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Deuteronomy 20:8</a> And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.return<a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2,3</a> And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: … <a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Deuteronomy 17:16</a> But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.<a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a> And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Although</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Change</a> <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/genesis/33-14.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/genesis/41-30.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/exodus/13-15.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/26-18.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">War</a> <a href="/exodus/10-21.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Although</a> <a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Change</a> <a href="/exodus/13-18.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">War</a> <a href="/exodus/13-18.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 13</div>1. <a href="/exodus/13-1.htm">The firstborn are sanctified to God</a> 3. <a href="/exodus/13-3.htm">The memorial of the Passover is commanded</a> 11. <a href="/exodus/13-11.htm">The firstborn of man and beast are set apart</a> 17. <a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them.</a> 20. <a href="/exodus/13-20.htm">They come to Etham</a> 21. <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When Pharaoh let the people go This phrase marks the culmination of the ten plagues, which demonstrated God's power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh. The release of the Israelites was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a>, where God foretold the liberation of his descendants from bondage. The Exodus is a pivotal event in Israel's history, symbolizing redemption and foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines The road through the land of the Philistines, known as the Via Maris, was a major trade route connecting Egypt to Canaan. It was the most direct path to the Promised Land. However, the Philistines were a formidable military power, and God, in His wisdom, chose a different route to protect the Israelites from immediate conflict. This decision highlights God's providential care and understanding of His people's limitations.though it was shorter The shorter route would have been more convenient and quicker, but God's guidance often transcends human logic. This reflects the biblical principle found in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. The longer journey allowed the Israelites to develop their identity as God's chosen people and to learn reliance on Him.For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” God's concern for the Israelites' potential fear and discouragement underscores His compassion and understanding of human frailty. The Israelites had been enslaved for generations and were not prepared for immediate warfare. This statement also reflects God's desire for His people to trust Him fully, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/1-29.htm">Deuteronomy 1:29-31</a>, where God reassures them of His presence and protection. The possibility of returning to Egypt symbolizes a regression to bondage, contrasting with the freedom and new life God offers, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ's redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a> The ruler of Egypt who finally let the Israelites go after a series of plagues. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who were enslaved in Egypt and are now being led to the Promised Land. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_the_philistines.htm">The Land of the Philistines</a> A region that lay along the shorter route to Canaan, known for its warrior inhabitants. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign leader and protector of the Israelites, guiding them with wisdom and foresight. 5. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The place of bondage from which the Israelites are being delivered.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_guidance.htm">God's Sovereign Guidance</a> God knows the best path for us, even when it seems longer or more difficult. Trust in His wisdom and timing. <a href="/topical/p/protection_from_premature_challenges.htm">Protection from Premature Challenges</a> God sometimes leads us away from immediate challenges to prepare us for future battles. Recognize His protective hand in your life. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_trusting_god's_plan.htm">The Importance of Trusting God's Plan</a> Like the Israelites, we may not understand why God leads us a certain way, but faith requires trusting His plan over our own understanding. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_the_temptation_to_return_to_'egypt'.htm">Avoiding the Temptation to Return to 'Egypt'</a> When faced with difficulties, resist the temptation to return to old ways or comfort zones that God has delivered you from. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_future_battles.htm">Preparation for Future Battles</a> God uses our journeys to strengthen and prepare us for future challenges. Embrace the process of growth and preparation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 13</a> <a href="/q/why_was_the_guided_journey_so_long.htm">Exodus 13:17–18 – How can we reconcile the claim of divine guidance with the prolonged journey that should have been much shorter? </a> <a href="/q/is_god_present_in_his_people's_praise.htm">Why did God seek to kill Moses in Exodus?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_apatheism_mean.htm">What does the Bible say about conscientious objection?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_600,000_israelites_exit_egypt.htm">How could an estimated 600,000 Israelite men (plus families) have left Egypt without overwhelming logistical issues?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE DIRECTION OF THE MARCH.(17) God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines.--In <a href="/context/exodus/13-17.htm" title="And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:">Exodus 13:17-19</a> the writer interposes some parenthetic remarks, which are not a continuation of the narrative interrupted (<a href="/exodus/12-42.htm" title="It is a night to be much observed to the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.">Exodus 12:42</a>), but rather reflections that occur to him. The starting point of the journey being Tanis or Rameses, in the Eastern Delta, not far from the sea, he sees that the shortest, and apparently the easiest, route for the Israelites to have pursued would have been that which led along the coast, from Tanis to Pelusium, thence to Rhinocolura, and from Rhinocolura to Gaza, Ascalon, and Ashdod, the chief towns of the Philistines. The distance along this line was not more than about 200 miles, and might have been accomplished in a fortnight. He anticipates an inquiry, Why did they not pursue this route? The reply is, that such was not the will of God; and the reason why it was not His will is further given--"The people would probably have repented when they saw war, and would have returned to Egypt." It is implied that the Philistines were already a strong and warlike people, which they may well have been, though not mentioned in the contemporary Egyptian monuments. The Egyptians mention by name very few of the nations of Syria, and the few names which they put on record can seldom be identified.Although that was near.--Rather, because that was near. God did not, because it was near, lead them that way, but another.When they see war.--If the Philistines are to be regarded as identical with the "Purusata" of the Egyptian remains, they must be viewed as one of the most warlike people of the time. Even leaving aside this identification--which is very uncertain--we must view them as one of the most important of the tribes inhabiting the lower Syrian region. In Joshua's time they already possessed their five strong fortresses--Gaza, Ascalon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron (<a href="/joshua/13-3.htm" title="From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:">Joshua 13:3</a>); and during the period of the Judges they raised themselves to the leading position in the Palestinian region. Palestine derives its name from them, and would not have obtained the name unless they had been a very remarkable race. We can well understand that the Israelites after four centuries of slavery would have been an ill match for the Philistines, and that, if defeated or intimidated, they might have felt that no course was open to them but a return to Egypt.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17-20. - THE DIRECTION OF THE JOURNEY. - The direct road from Tanis to Palestine - a road much frequented under the nineteenth dynasty - lay along the coast of the Mediterranean, and conducted to Philistia. If we look at the map, and observe the position of Tanis (now San) on the old Tanitic branch of the Nile, now nearly dried up, we shall see that the route which would naturally suggest itself to any one wishing to proceed to the Holy Land from Tanis would be one running almost due east, from Tanis to Pelusium, and from Pelusium, south of Lake Serbonis, to Rhinocolura; and thence, following the course of the coast to Gaza, Ascalon, and Ashdod, the chief towns of the Philistine country. It is true that a marsh region intervenes between Tanis and Pelusium which might seem to bar the route; but the Egyptian remains show that, in the times of the eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties, this obstacle was surmounted by means of an embankment which was carried across it, and that a direct road thus connected the two cities. Moses, at this point of his narrative, being about to trace the onward march of the Israelites from Succoth to Etham, in the direction of the Red Sea, anticipated, it would seem, an objection on the part of his reader, who would naturally ask, Why was not the direct route eastward taken and Canaan entered on the south-west after some half-dozen marches? In verses 17, 18, he gives the reply - 1. God led them, they did not determine their own route; and 2. God would not lead them by the direct route, because it would have conducted them to the Philistine country, and the Philistines were strong, and would have resisted the invasion by force of arms. Hence it was that the southern or south-eastern route was taken in preference to the northern one - and that the second stage in the journey was from Succoth to Etham (verse 20). Verse 17. - Although that was near. Rather "because it was near" (ὅτι ἐγγὺς ῆν, LXX.) - i.e.., "God did not, because it was near, lead them this way, but a longer one." Lest peradveature the people repeat when they see war. The Philistines were a powerful and warlike race half a century after this, in the time of Joshua, and were masters of the five important cities of Gaze, Ascalon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, which seem to have formed a confederacy (<a href="/joshua/13-3.htm">Joshua 13:3</a>). It would appear that their strength was already considerable, and that the Israelites, though perhaps more numerous, were incapable of coping with them, being wholly unaccustomed to war, The Israelites were therefore not allowed to take this route, which would have brought upon them at once a severe trial, and might have led to their voluntary return into Egypt. <a href="/commentaries/exodus/13-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When Pharaoh פַּרְעֹה֮ (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings let the people הָעָם֒ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock go, בְּשַׁלַּ֣ח (bə·šal·laḥ) Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out God אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative did not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no lead them נָחָ֣ם (nā·ḥām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5148.htm">Strong's 5148: </a> To guide, to transport along the road דֶּ֚רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action through the land אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land of the Philistines, פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia though כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction it ה֑וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was shorter. קָר֖וֹב (qā·rō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> Near For כִּ֣י ׀ (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction God אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative said, אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “If [the people] face בִּרְאֹתָ֥ם (bir·’ō·ṯām) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see war, מִלְחָמָ֖ה (mil·ḥā·māh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war [they] הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock might change their minds יִנָּחֵ֥ם (yin·nā·ḥêm) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5162.htm">Strong's 5162: </a> To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge and return וְשָׁ֥בוּ (wə·šā·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Egypt.? מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃ (miṣ·rā·yə·māh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/13-17.htm">Exodus 13:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/13-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 13:17 It happened when Pharaoh had let (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/13-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 13:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 13:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/13-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 13:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 13:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>