They were got to the edge of the wilderness, Exodus 13:20, and one stage or two would have brought them to Horeb, the place appointed for their serving God, but instead of going forward, they are ordered to turn short off, on the right — hand from Canaan, and to march towards the Red — sea. When they were at Etham, there was no sea in their way to obstruct their passage; but God himself orders them into straits, which might give them an assurance, that when his purposes were served, he would bring them out of those straits. Before Pi — hahiroth — Or the straits of Hiroth, two great mountains, between which they marched. Migdol and Baal — zephon were cities of Egypt and probably garrison'd.
Related Commentaries of Exodus 14:2
Exodus 14:2
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.