Exodus 14:25

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 14:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
Exodus 14:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25And he took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And took off their chariot wheels, etc.] The Targum of Jonathan renders it “cut” or “sawed them off”; perhaps they might be broken off by the hailstones. Milton f455 seems to have a notion of Pharaoh’s chariot wheels being broken, when he says, “and craze” (i.e. break) “their chariot wheels”; or, as Jarchi suggests, he burnt them, through the force of the fire or lightning: that they drave them heavily; the wheels being off, the chariots must be dragged along by the horses by mere force, which must be heavy work; or, “and made them to go, or led them heavily”, or “with heaviness” f456; and so to be ascribed to the Lord, who looked at the Egyptians, took off the wheels of their chariots, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They had driven furiously, but now they drove heavily, and found themselves embarrassed at every step; the way grew deep, their hearts grew sad, their wheels dropt off, and the axle - trees failed. They had been flying upon the back of Israel as the hawk upon the dove; but now they cried, Let us flee from the face of Israel. Exodus 14:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:25 He twisted their chariot wheels: The ancient versions differ on the translation of this phrase. Perhaps there was deep sand where the water had been, and this broke the light wheels of the chariots. At any rate, the Egyptian charge through the sea failed, and they became terrified. • The Lord is fighting for them: Certainly by this time everyone in Egypt was aware of the special relationship between the Lord and his people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“took off: Jdg 4:15; Psa 46:9, Psa 76:6; Jer 51:21 that they drave them heavily: or, and made them to go heavily Let us flee: Job 11:20, Job 20:24, Job 27:22; Psa 68:12; Amo 1:14, Amo 5:19, Amo 9:1 for the Lord: Exo 14:14; Deu 3:22; Sa1 4:7, Sa1 4:8 Exodus 14:26”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"And (Jehovah) made the wheels of his (the Egyptian's) chariots give way, and made, that he (the Egyptian) drove in difficulty." נהג ".ytlucif to drive a chariot ( Sa2 6:3, cf. Kg2 9:20). Exodus 14:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification