Exodus 14:13-14
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What Moses tells the people to "see" isn't just a future event, but a present action of God. The word for "salvation" here originally carried a sense of "making room" or "providing space," hinting that God's rescue would create a way out for them from this impossible situation.
The Israelites have just been told by God to turn back and camp by the sea, a move that traps them between the mountains and a pursuing Egyptian army. Pharaoh, seeing their supposed helplessness, is now charging after them with his chariots, and the terrified Israelites are crying out to Moses, regretting their decision to leave Egypt. In this moment of extreme panic, Moses urges them to stop their fear and trembling and to simply watch as God acts to deliver them.
Trapped between the Red Sea and an advancing army, the Israelites were paralyzed by fear. Moses's powerful command to 'fear not' and 'stand firm' wasn't about physical stillness, but a deep trust in God's power.
Trusting God When We Can't Move
The people of Israel were in an impossible situation. Pharaoh's army was behind them, the Red Sea was in front of them, and escape seemed impossible. Their immediate reaction was terror and doubt.
Moses’s response, 'Fear not, stand firm,' is a call to a different kind of strength. It’s not about fighting or fleeing, but about a quiet confidence in God's ability to act. The original language suggests 'making yourselves stand,' an act of mental and spiritual resolve, not passive waiting.
This is crucial for us today. When life corners us, and we feel we have no options left, our instinct might be to panic. But God calls us to stand firm in our trust, knowing He is greater than our circumstances. Our role is to keep our hearts steady and believe that God is about to work.
Moses didn't just tell the people to wait; he told them to 'see the salvation of the LORD.' This wasn't a vague hope, but a confident expectation of God's powerful intervention.
God's Deliverance is Active and Near
The phrase 'the salvation of the LORD' points to a powerful, divinely orchestrated deliverance. The Hebrew word carries the sense of 'breadth' and 'freedom,' highlighting a complete rescue from distress.
Moses assures the people that God will 'work' this salvation for them 'today.' This emphasizes the immediacy and the active role God plays. It’s not a passive waiting for something to happen, but an active observation of God's mighty deeds.
This means we can look for God's intervention even in our darkest moments. His salvation isn't just about a future hope; it's about His present power to rescue and free us. The Egyptians, who were a terrifying threat 'today,' would be seen no more, signifying a complete and final end to that specific danger.
Understand the original words
yare · Hebrew Verb
An intense emotion or sense of alarm in the face of danger. The command "fear not" is a common divine imperative in Scripture, calling the believer to replace human panic with trust in God's sovereignty and presence.
yeshuah · Hebrew Noun
The act of being saved, delivered, or rescued from peril or enemies. Biblically, it refers primarily to God's intervention to rescue His people, culminating in the ultimate eternal salvation provided through Jesus Christ.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God (YHWH). It identifies Him as the self-existent, faithful Creator who enters into a relationship with His people and acts on their behalf.
lacham · Hebrew Verb
Moses' command to 'stand firm' and 'see the salvation of the Lord' is deeply rooted in the immediate, life-threatening crisis of being trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's pursuing army. This wasn't just a theological statement; it was a desperate plea for faith in the face of overwhelming military might and a hopeless situation.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following the ten plagues, God's people, the Israelites, leave Egypt after 400 years of slavery. Led by Moses, they journey towards the promised land.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites
Pharaoh, regretting the loss of Israel's slave labor, mobilizes his army, including chariots, to recapture them. The Egyptians believe they have cornered the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites Reach the Red Sea
The Israelites find themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the advancing Egyptian army, causing widespread panic among the people.
c. 1446 BC
The Parting of the Red Sea
Moses, following God's command, stretches out his staff over the sea. A strong wind divides the waters, creating a dry path for the Israelites to escape.
This passage echoes Moses' words, stating that the Lord fought for Israel, reinforcing the theme of God's direct intervention when His people are called to 'stand still' and trust Him.
2 Chronicles 20:17Similar to Exodus, Jehoshaphat tells his people they will not need to fight but only to stand still and see God's salvation, highlighting the principle of resting in God's power.
Isaiah 30:15This verse directly contrasts human striving with God's power, stating 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust is your strength,' which perfectly captures the essence of Moses' command to 'stand firm.'
Psalm 46:10This psalm's command to 'Be still, and know that I am God' offers a profound theological parallel to Moses' instruction, urging trust and recognition of God's sovereignty in times of crisis.
cambridgeExodus 14:13: "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever."
13 . stand still ] rather, stand firm , without fleeing; cf. Deuteronomy 7:24 ; Deuteronomy 11:25 , 2 Samuel 21:5 . Comp. the quotation in 2 Chronicles 20:17 (EVV. set yourselves [ not ‘stand still’]). salvation ] The Heb. word is used here in its original etym. sense—w…
bensonExodus 14:13: "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever."
Exodus 14:13-14 . Moses said, Fear ye not, stand still — Hebrew, make yourselves to stand. Let not your hearts fail, or sink, or stagger, through unbelief: but with quiet minds look up to God. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace — Ye shall contrib…
What Moses tells the people to "see" isn't just a future event, but a present action of God. The word for "salvation" here originally carried a sense of "making room" or "providing space," hinting that God's rescue would create a way out for them from this impossible situation.
The Israelites have just been told by God to turn back and camp by the sea, a move that traps them between the mountains and a pursuing Egyptian army. Pharaoh, seeing their supposed helplessness, is now charging after them with his chariots, and the terrified Israelites are crying out to Moses, regretting their decision to leave Egypt. In this moment of extreme panic, Moses urges them to stop their fear and trembling and to simply watch as God acts to deliver them.
The Israelites have just been told by God to turn back and camp by the sea, a move that traps them between the mountains and a pursuing Egyptian army. Pharaoh, seeing their supposed helplessness, is now charging after them with his chariots, and the terrified Israelites are crying out to Moses, regretting their decision to leave Egypt. In this moment of extreme panic, Moses urges them to stop their fear and trembling and to simply watch as God acts to deliver them.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Exodus 14:13-14 is available in the Sola app.
To engage in conflict or opposition against an enemy. The Scriptures emphasize that the Lord is the Divine Warrior who fights on behalf of His people, securing victory through His own power rather than theirs.
charash · Hebrew Verb
To abstain from speaking or to be still; in the context of divine intervention, it represents the act of faith where one ceases their own striving to witness God's sovereign action.
c. 1446 BC
Destruction of the Egyptian Army
As the Israelites safely cross, the pursuing Egyptian army attempts to follow. God commands Moses to stretch out his hand again, and the waters crash down, destroying Pharaoh's entire army.
"And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be…" — What Moses tells the people to "see" isn't just a future event, but a present action of God. The word for "salvation" here originally carried a sense of "making room" or "providing space," hinting th…
