Exodus 14

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:” The line’s distinctive content terms include chariot, people, ready. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the…” Naming Israel and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and…” Naming Baal and Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after…” Naming Israel and Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD , which he will shew to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD , when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots…” Naming Egyptians and Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians…” Naming Egyptians and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and…” Naming Egyptians and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea…” Naming Egyptians and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD , and believed…” Naming Egyptians and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.