Route of the Exodus (Exodus 13:17-19 E, Exodus 13:20 P). The religious insight of the writer (God led the people) is sounder than his knowledge of history: the Philistines-' presence cannot have been the reason for avoiding the usual and shortest route, the N. or coast road, for they were immigrants of a later date (p. 56, Amos 9:7 *). The choice of the more easterly route, of the two now as then most practicable, probably arose from the aim to reach Kadesh. The host went by the way to the (Egyptian) wilderness to the Red Sea better Reed-sea, as Luther. The N.W. arm then probably extended from Sue z into Lake Timsâ h, which grows reeds, which are not now found in the salt Red Sea. (On the route see further p. 64.) It is not certain that the rare Heb. (Exodus 13:18 b) is rightly rendered armed; in ordered ranks is perhaps better. For Exodus 13:19 see Genesis 50:25. In Exodus 13:20 we first meet the formula with which the stages of the journey are described in P (cf. Numbers 33:5-49, etc.). Etham may best be placed near Ismailia, N. of L. Timsâ h.
Related Commentaries of Exodus 13:17
Exodus 13:17-20
17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessedc out of the land of Egypt.
19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.