Shemot 13:17-14:4

Orthodox Jewish Bible

[BESHALLACH]

¹⁷ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that Elohim led them not through the derech of the eretz of the Pelishtim (Philistines), although that was near; for Elohim said, Lest perhaps the people change their mind when they see milchamah, and they return to Mitzrayim;

¹⁸ So Elohim led HaAm about, through the derech of the midbar of the Yam Suf; and the Bnei Yisroel went up out of Eretz Mitzrayim ready for battle.

¹⁹ And Moshe took the atzmot Yosef with him; for Yosef had made the Bnei Yisroel swear unconditionally, saying, Elohim will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my atzmot away from here with you.

²⁰ And they took their journey from Sukkot, and encamped in Etam, at the edge of the midbar.

²¹ And Hashem went before them by day in an ammud anan, to guide them haderech; and by lailah in an ammud eish, to give them ohr; so they could travel yomam valailah (day or night);

²² He took not away the amud heanan by day, nor the ammud haeish by night, from before HaAm.

14 Then Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

² Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-Hachirot, between Migdol and the yam, in front of Baal Zephon; opposite it shall ye encamp by the yam.

³ For Pharaoh will think of the Bnei Yisroel, They are entangled in the land [wandering in confusion], the midbar hath shut them in [from making their exodus].

⁴ And I will harden lev Pharaoh, that he shall pursue after them; and I will be glorified over Pharaoh, and upon all his army; so that the Egyptians may have da’as that I am Hashem. And they did accordingly.