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Exodus 13:16-18
Contemporary English Version
Exodus 13:16-18
Contemporary English Version
16 This ceremony will serve the same purpose as a sign on your hand or on your forehead to tell how the Lord's mighty power rescued us from Egypt.
The Lord Leads His People
17 After the king[a] had finally let the people go, the Lord did not lead them through Philistine territory,[b] though that was the shortest way. God had said, “If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt.” 18 So he led them around through the desert and toward the Red Sea.[c]
The Israelites left Egypt, prepared for battle.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 13.17 The king: See the note at 1.11.
- 13.17 Philistine territory: The shortest land route from the Nile Delta to Canaan; it was the southern section of the major road that led to Megiddo and then on to Mesopotamia by way of Asia Minor.
- 13.18 Red Sea: Hebrew yam suph, “Sea of Reeds,” one of the marshes or fresh water lakes, near the eastern part of the Nile Delta. This identification is based on Exodus 13.17—14.9, which lists the towns on the route of the Israelites before crossing the sea. In the Greek translation of the Scriptures made about 200 b.c., the “Sea of Reeds” was named “Red Sea.”
Exodus 13:16-18
New International Version
Exodus 13:16-18
New International Version
16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead(A) that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
Crossing the Sea
17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”(B) 18 So God led(C) the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.[a] The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.(D)
Footnotes
- Exodus 13:18 Or the Sea of Reeds
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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