Exodus 13:17-22

Evangelical Heritage Version

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by the way that goes to the land of the Philistines, although it was more direct, for God said, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people by the way that goes through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.^[a] The Israelites went up from the land of Egypt in battle formation.

¹⁹ Moses also took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. Joseph had said, “God will surely come to your aid. Then you must bring up my bones with you from Egypt.” ²⁰ They set out from Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. ²¹ The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on their way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light. In this way they could travel by day and by night. ²² The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.