“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God instructs Israel to "turn back" and encamp in a very specific, seemingly exposed location. This wasn't a retreat, but a strategic positioning that created a bottleneck, drawing Pharaoh into a trap where God could demonstrate His power.
“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After escaping Egypt and passing through the wilderness of Etham, the Israelites are unexpectedly told by God to turn back and encamp in a specific, seemingly trapped location by the sea, between two fortified places. This strategic maneuver sets the stage for Pharaoh, misled into thinking the Israelites are hopelessly lost, to pursue them with his army.
God tells His people to turn back, not toward safety, but into a seemingly inescapable trap.
After escaping Egypt, the Israelites were heading away from the pursuing army, towards what seemed like freedom. But God commanded them to "turn back" (Exodus 14:2). This wasn't a retreat to Egypt, but a strategic redirection. They were to encamp at Pi-hahiroth, a location described with specific, imposing landmarks: "between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon."
Why this route?
Pharaoh's decision to pursue wasn't just anger; it was fueled by a misunderstanding of God's power and a strategic miscalculation.
Pharaoh and his army saw the Israelites' encampment at Pi-hahiroth not as a divine trap, but as a golden opportunity. The commentators highlight how Pharaoh's perception was skewed by his pride and his limited understanding of God.
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Pharaoh's Fatal Misjudgment:
Understand the original words
chanah · Hebrew Verb
The act of creating, setting, or establishing an encampment. In a biblical context, it often signifies a temporary stay directed by God as part of His leading or testing of His people.
God intentionally led the Israelites into a seemingly impossible situation, turning a desperate corner into a divinely orchestrated trap. This wasn't a mistake, but a deliberate plan to demonstrate His power and secure their complete deliverance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following the ten plagues, God leads the Israelites out of Egypt after 430 years of slavery. They leave Egypt 'with a high hand,' signifying a bold departure.
c. 1446 BC
Wilderness of Etham
After leaving Egypt, the Israelites journey to the edge of the desert near Etham. This marks the boundary between Egyptian territory and the wilderness.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh Learns of the Escape
News reaches Pharaoh that the Israelites have fled. His heart hardens, and he mobilizes his army, including 600 chosen chariots, to pursue them.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
God Commands Israelites to Turn Back
God instructs Moses to have the Israelites turn and encamp by the sea at Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and Baal-zephon. This strategic maneuver traps them between the wilderness, the sea, and the pursuing Egyptian army.
c. 1446 BC
The Sea Crossing
As Pharaoh's army closes in, God opens a path through the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. He then causes the waters to return, drowning the pursuing Egyptian forces.
This passage describes God leading the Israelites out of Egypt and their subsequent journey, mirroring the event in Exodus where their path is strategically set by God.
Psalm 77:19-20The Psalm recounts God's path through the sea and His guidance of His people, directly reflecting the miraculous intervention and journey described in Exodus.
Isaiah 43:16-17This prophecy speaks of God making a way through the sea and leading His people, echoing the events at the Red Sea and highlighting God's power over natural barriers.
Romans 8:37This verse speaks of being more than conquerors through Christ, which aligns with the Israelites' miraculous victory over Pharaoh's army, demonstrating God's ultimate power for His people.
gillExodus 14:2: "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea."
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn,.... Not return to Egypt, or to the place, or towards the place from whence they came, but turn off, out of the road in which they were; for, as a late traveller says (a),"there were two roads, through which the Israelites might have been conducted from Cairo (wh…
calvinExodus 14:1-9: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
Nuntiatum est autem regi AEgypti quod fugisset populus: Et versum est cor Pharaonis et servorum ejus in populum, et dixerunt, Cur hoc fecimus ut dimitteremus Israel, ne serviret nobis?
And he made ready his chariot, an…
God instructs Israel to "turn back" and encamp in a very specific, seemingly exposed location. This wasn't a retreat, but a strategic positioning that created a bottleneck, drawing Pharaoh into a trap where God could demonstrate His power.
After escaping Egypt and passing through the wilderness of Etham, the Israelites are unexpectedly told by God to turn back and encamp in a specific, seemingly trapped location by the sea, between two fortified places. This strategic maneuver sets the stage for Pharaoh, misled into thinking the Israelites are hopelessly lost, to pursue them with his army.
After escaping Egypt and passing through the wilderness of Etham, the Israelites are unexpectedly told by God to turn back and encamp in a specific, seemingly trapped location by the sea, between two fortified places. This strategic maneuver sets the stage for Pharaoh, misled into thinking the Israelites are hopelessly lost, to pursue them with his army.
"“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea." — God instructs Israel to "turn back" and encamp in a very specific, seemingly exposed location. This wasn't a retreat, but a strategic positioning that created a bottleneck, drawing Pharaoh into a tra…
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Last reviewed October 2026