3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.'
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'
3 "Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are lost; they're confused. The wilderness has closed in on them.'
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.'
3 Then Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 14:3
Commentary on Exodus 14:1-9
(Read Exodus 14:1-9)
Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be honoured upon. What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service.