Exodus 14:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 14:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.
Exodus 14:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.

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 he took six hundred chosen chariots, etc.] The chief and best he had, war chariots, chariots of iron; perhaps such as had iron scythes to them, to cut down men as they drove along; these were taken partly for quickness of dispatch, that they might be able the sooner to overtake the Israelites, who had got several days’ marches before them; and partly for their strength and the annoyance of their enemies with them: and all the chariots of Egypt: as many as could in so short a time be got together: for the words are not to be taken in the utmost latitude, but to signify a great number, and all that could be conveniently come at: the Greek version is, “all the horse”, the cavalry, which…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Six hundred chosen chariots - The Egyptian army comprised large numbers of chariots, each drawn by two horses, with two men, one bearing the shield and driving, the other fully armed. The horses were thoroughbred, renowned for strength and spirit. Chariots are first represented on the monuments of the 18th dynasty. By “all the chariots of Egypt” we are to understand all that were stationed in Lower Egypt, most of them probably at Rameses and other frontier garrisons near the headquarters of Pharaoh. Captains - The word שׁלישׁ shâlı̂ysh, literally “third or thirtieth,” may represent an Egyptian title. The king had about him a council of thirty, each of whom bore a title, Mapu, a “thirty…”
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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
“Captains over every one of them - Or rather over all of them; distributing the command of them to his several Captains. Exodus 14:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Exo 14:23, Exo 15:4; Jos 17:16-18; Jdg 4:3, Jdg 4:15; Psa 20:7, Psa 68:17; Isa 37:24 Exodus 14:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification